The number using foodbanks in Wales hits record high
The Trussell Trust gave out 187 thousand over the last 12 months.
Record number of emergency food parcels provided by Trussell Trust food banks in Wales in past 12 months.
A record 187,400 emergency food parcels were provided by food banks across the charity's network in Wales in the past year.
Between April 2023 and March 2024, 88,900 people received support, 47,700 of whom were accessing a food bank for the first time.
65% of the support provided by food banks in Wales was for families with children.
There was a 14% increase in the number of emergency food parcels provided in the last year to households in Wales where someone was aged 65+
The most common reason why people have been referred to food banks in Wales in the last year is because they have extremely low incomes or problems with debt (72%)
Rachel Biggs, Manager of Cardiff food bank, said: “Across Cardiff we've seen need continue to increase as people are unable to afford the essentials this last financial year we have provided more than 20,000 emergency food parcels to people in need.
“For two thirds of people who came to Cardiff Foodbank, their only income was benefits, and their top reason for needing support was that they couldn't afford the essentials.
"It simply isn't right that our benefits system is failing people and locking them in poverty. We're also hearing from people whose housing situation is forcing them to need to use a food bank, and in Wales almost 1 in 3 children is living in poverty.
“Our vision is a future where no one goes hungry because everyone can afford the essentials. We are incredibly grateful to the public for their support with food and financial donations, and we hope to also work together to use our collective voice to bring about lasting change that ensures that everyone can afford the essentials.”
Speaking about the rising need for emergency food, Jo Harry, Network Lead for Wales at the Trussell Trust, said: “Wales is seeing more and more people, particularly families with children, unable to afford the essentials needed to get by. This is forcing more people through the doors of food banks than ever before.
“Everyone in Wales should be able to afford the essentials – to buy their own food and heat their homes.
"This has got harder in the last year as has been shown by the 47,700 people needing an emergency food parcel for the first time. This is not right. Something has to change."
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We have provided £22m to support community food organisations to tackle food poverty, and help people maximise their income and build financial resilience.
“Our new Child Poverty Strategy sets out our long term ambitions, including work on streamlining and simplifying Welsh benefits.”