The number of people receiving an emergency food parcel from food bank provider The Trussell Trust rose by 33% between 2020 and 2021, according to Statista, and is expected to rise further this year.
Food banks provide vital support for people in their most vulnerable moments and are particularly in demand at the moment due to soaring living costs. There is often confusion attached to using them, with many people not sure whether they are eligible for help. Others may feel embarrassed or afraid to use food banks, or concerned about the social stigma if they rely on one, but in these difficult times no-one should be afraid or ashamed to seek help.
Here we explain how food banks work, who might be able to access them, and what sort of items you might be likely to receive in an emergency food parcel.
How does a food bank work?
Food banks offer emergency food parcels which usually include three days worth of nutritionally balanced, long life food to people who are struggling to afford to feed themselves.
Many food banks work on a referral basis, so anyone needing help usually has to go through an approved referrer before they can use a food bank. Citizens Advice, GPs, schools, health visitors and other care professionals might issue food bank vouchers if they identify you as someone in need.
Once someone has been referred to a food bank and given a voucher, they can visit their local food bank where they will be given an emergency food parcel containing three days of nutritionally balanced food. They might also receive some non-food items such as sanitary products, nappies or other toiletries, depending on their needs.
Not all food banks require a referral, however, so you may be able to turn up and be issued with an emergency food parcel without needing a voucher. It’s sensible to contact any food bank you’re planning to visit in advance, so you can find out what their requirements are. Obviously the referral process is there to make sure that help is given to those who really need it, but it can also create an additional hurdle to getting help that some might find difficult to navigate during a time of real crisis.
Food banks will often offer other services to help people address the issues that have led them to using the food bank in the first place. For example, this could include advice on their benefit situation, mental health support or financial guidance.
How do food banks get their food?
Food banks rely on donations of food and toiletries as well as cash donations and fundraising. It’s likely that you’ve seen food bank donation bins in your local supermarket. These are regularly emptied and the items given make up a large proportion of what the food bank is then able to hand out in their emergency food parcels.
Who runs food banks?
Food banks are mostly run by charities which operate as not-for-profit organisations. The food banks themselves are usually run by volunteers, but there might also be some paid members of the charity working there as well.
The function of food banks themselves can be a little contentious. Some people feel that food banks are masking a larger issue of food insecurity and inequality that should be addressed by the government, while others fully support the incredibly valuable service they provide to people who really need it.
Who can use a food bank?
Food banks are designed to be used by anyone experiencing a financial or life crisis which means they are struggling to afford food. The Trussell Trust says that the key reasons it sees people using their services are delays or sanctions to benefit payments, ill health, challenging life experiences, or a lack of informal support from family and friends.
Am I eligible to use a food bank?
To prevent people abusing the services of a food bank, there aren’t specific circumstances that mean you will automatically qualify for help. There are however some broad parameters which indicate that you might qualify for a food bank referral, which generally include financial difficulties that have arisen as a result of :
- Work-related issues such as redundancy or reduced hours
- Unexpected financial situations such as an unexpected bill
- Changes or delays to your benefits
- Ill health, whether that’s physical or mental
- Domestic abuse
- A low-income or debt
In some scenarios, if you are in contact with certain care services already, such as your GP, children’s school or health visitor, they might recognise that you need the services of a food bank. However, it’s more likely that you will need to contact your local Citizens Advice to get a referral if you think you qualify for support.
You can find your local Citizens Advice here or contact your local them on:
- 0808 208 2138 if you are in England or Wales
- 0800 915 4604 if you are in Northern Ireland
- You can search for your local Citizens Advice here if you live in Scotland.
What will I get from a food bank?
If you are referred to a food bank, when you visit it you will be asked a few questions around any special dietary requirements you might have and will then be given an emergency food parcel.
The Trussell Trust says a food parcel will usually include:
- Cereal
- Soup
- Pasta
- Rice
- Tinned tomatoes/ pasta sauce
- Lentils, beans and pulses
- Tinned meat
- Tinned vegetables
- Tea/coffee
- Tinned fruit
- Biscuits
- UHT milk
- Fruit juice
Do food banks only give out food?
No, food banks might also give out nappies, female hygiene products, toiletries, household cleaning products and other essential items.
Some food banks also provide their users with advice services to help them with areas that might be affecting their ability to get access to food. As mentioned, this might include debt or benefit advice, or mental health support.
How many times can I use a food bank?
Many people may only need to use a food bank once or twice before they get back on their feet, but others might need to rely on them more regularly.
Some food banks have a limit on the number of times you can use them, although this will vary from place to place. It’s worth bearing in mind however, that more often than not, this limit is a guideline and not an enforced rule, so if you are not able to feed yourself then it’s still worth following your usual route to ask for help.
Where can I find my nearest food bank?
There are thousands of food banks across the UK, and you can find your nearest one through the Trussell Trust website. There are also a number of independent food banks which you can find through an internet search for food banks in your area.
Are there alternatives to food banks?
If you don’t qualify to use a food bank, or there aren’t any non-referral food banks in your area, there may be other options which you can explore.
Community Fridges
There are community fridges all over the UK which are essentially fridges in public spaces in which people can put or take as much food as they want. The idea is that it helps to remove some of the stigma of having to go through a formalised process to get access to free food. The food in the fridges is usually donated by individuals, but might also be given by local businesses. Hubbub has a handy search function so you can find your nearest community fridge. If nothing comes up in your area, an internet search might help you find one nearby.
Food sharing apps
Olio is a food sharing app, much like a community fridge, that enables local communities to share excess food with each other free of charge. When you sign up, you can start requesting food immediately, which could be anything from a few spare apples to a loaf of bread. You can also find and share non-food items like household goods, crafts, toys and hair and beauty products. You can download Olio for Android here and for iOS here.
Community Meals
A number of charities and religious organisations offer free meals to their local community on a regular basis. For example, Charity Food Cycle offers free vegetarian meals at 49 different locations, and many Sikh temples often have a hot meal available to those in need, regardless of religion, gender, economic status, or ethnicity.
If you don’t think you’re eligible for support from a food bank, but you’re finding it difficult to afford your food bills, our article 16 ways to save money on your food bills has plenty of ways to keep your grocery costs down
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