Food insecurity has spiked amongst 16-24 year olds, as latest figures from the Food Standards Agency also highlight a growing dependence on food banks.
Following a downward trend during the spring and summer, there has been a huge increase with 38% of 16-24 year-olds experiencing food security in November. Emergency food supplies accessed through food banks or charities is also highest in this age group, with 26% of those surveyed having used food charities or food banks in November.
These figures come in a month when Marcus Rashford prompted a government U-turn on addressing childhood food poverty through free school meals, while UNICEF reported funding local projects to feed children in the UK.
Differences between age groups demonstrate a huge disparity, as only 3% of 45-54 year-olds reported food insecurity in November. The figures come amongst a growing trend towards insecurity with 19% of respondents reporting also cutting back on meals in November.
Jennifer Dixon, the chief executive of the Health Foundation, echoed the need to support young people who are being disproportionately affected by the pandemic, “For young people, this means practical help to find employment and training to access better quality jobs. As we rebuild, these measures are vital to ensure that the generation of young people who have lived through the pandemic don’t continue to feel its impact on their health throughout the rest of their lives,”
Full details of the FSA consumer tracker can be found on their website.
Further reading:
- UK benefits unsuccessful claimants are going hungry
- Young people want better labelling: National Food Strategy
- Young people’s voices are vital in food system transformation
