Emergency food providers in Brighton and Hove fear being forced to close in the next six months due to soaring demand amid the “cost of living crisis”, according to a new report.
Food banks and relief organisations around the city are spending £15,800 a week to stock up on supplies – an increase of 59 per cent from 2022.
An annual survey of Brighton and Hove’s Emergency Food Network (EFN) found that nearly half of the city’s emergency providers were warning that they have insufficient funds for next year.
The report was produced by a non-profit organisation, the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership (BHFP).
It said: “This level of expenditure is unsustainable and some food banks are already having to pause new referrals or reduce the amount of food they can offer.
“Almost half the city’s emergency food providers report not having enough money for the year ahead.
“Food projects have asked BHFP to campaign for more support from local and national government. Importantly, they would like to see an end to food insecurity becoming the new normal.”
The report said that 6,441 people in Brighton and Hove relied on emergency food services every week, a rise of 25 per cent from 2022. Nearly a third of recipients were children.
Students and people in work are newer groups asking for help amid the “cost of living crisis”, the survey found.
Vanessa O’Shea, BHFP’s community food team manager, said: “Food poverty in Brighton is becoming the new normal and that is simply unacceptable.
“The level of expenditure EFN members are enduring is unsustainable. National and local governments, employers and educational bodies all need to wake up, face their responsibilities and take action now.”
The BHFP established the network in 2013 when just six food banks existed in the area.
By July this year, there were 51 members of the EFN, made up of food banks, community meal providers, affordable food projects and others.
Of 46 services that responded to the survey this year, 26 said that food and donation levels had fallen and 24 said that stock levels were “significantly down”.
The survey found that 23 suppliers were using financial reserves.
Cooking oil, meat, fresh fruit and vegetables and eggs were ingredients in high demand, the findings showed.
A Food SOS Harvest Festival campaign has been set up urging schools and businesses to co-ordinate donations to food providers through the winter period.
Food Banks are a go to for vulnerable families and individuals living on the breadline. They receive vouchers once they have been referred to food bank. Food Banks must not be abused.
People must learn to stop wasting money and cut back on frivolous things and activities and try buying food in Lidl, Home Bargains and B&M because these stock items value for money.
I have saved my money ever since Covid began and I certainly have enough money for essentials without getting into debt.
We run our Community Fridge and PWYC Community Cafe at the Community Room on Bristol Estate. We have noticed our supplies being affected. With the Winter period coming up I am anticipating more demand.
My team and I, in partnership with the wonderful teams like Sussex Surplus, will be doing everything we can to make sure that no-one goes hungry over Winter in our little patch of Brighton, at least.
I’VE SEEN ALL THESE PONCES AT THE FOODBANKS DMOKING THEIR HEADS OFF , BUT THEY CAN’T AFFORD TO FEED THEMSELVES LET THEM EAT CAKE