Newcastle Foodbank share concerns over food insecurity in the city
The Foodbank are reporting their busiest 12 month period in their 13 year history.
As a new report suggests more and more schools are being forced to step in and provide for struggling families - Newcastle Foodbank tell us they have serious concerns over rising food insecurity in the city.
The Foodbank are reporting their busiest 12 month period in their 13 year history.
Figures released by the Charity show;
• Total number of food parcels issued between 31st March 2023 - 1st April 2024 at 25,570, representing the busiest year on record for the Foodbank and an increase of 8% from the previous 12 months.
• 337 tonnes of food were used to distribute food parcels over the 12-month period, 126 of which had to be purchased by the Charity.
John McCorry, Chief Executive of Newcastle Foodbank stated,
"In the past 12 months we have seen an unprecedented level of demand on our services.
"The reality is, behind these figures are people across our City who are struggling with food insecurity, which is deeply concerning.
"Fortunately, with the ongoing support of our donors and volunteers, we will continue to help local people through these increasingly difficult times.”
It comes as a new report shows, around the country, schools have increasingly stepped in as a fourth emergency service and are now the biggest source of charitable food and household aid for families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, a new report suggests.
There are more than 4,000 school-based foodbanks in primary and secondary schools across England, which equates to one in every five schools running one.
Researchers from the University of Bristol found school foodbanks are more prevalent in deprived areas and schools, highlighting the severity of child food insecurity and the challenges facing low-income families.
The report calls for greater awareness among policy makers and reform, including an overhaul of the social security system, to address the growing issue.
Lead author Dr William Baker, from the University of Bristol, said: "Our research shows there are now, quite shockingly, more foodbanks inside schools than outside of schools in England.
"In recent years inflation has sent the cost of essentials spiralling, while other forms of state support have withered due to swingeing cutbacks.
"Schools are on the frontline in responding to food poverty and many are offering crisis services to struggling families.
"Teachers and support staff see the devastating effects of poverty and the cost-of-living crisis daily, so they have felt compelled to act.
"The result is a flourishing patchwork of foodbanks, pantries, and food clubs, which have become well-established, are often highly organised operations distributing more than just food and are an indictment of this country's retreating welfare state.
"I'll never forget the stark image of dozens of boxes of new school shoes, bought out of school funds, stacked up ready for distribution as if this was business as usual."
The survey data used in the study indicates foodbanks exist in more than a fifth (21%) of schools and this rises to a third (33%) in schools with the high numbers of students from deprived backgrounds.
Charitable and third sector organisations, chiefly The Trussell Trust and The Independent Food Aid Network, remain key players operating 1,646 and 1,172 foodbanks respectively.
But the latest data indicates schools now outstrip this, running an estimated 4,250 food banks.