5.2 Food banks
In the UK in 2014, an estimated 13 million people were living below the poverty line, out of a total population of about 64 million.
Since 2000, food banks have been set up by charities, such as The Trussell Trust, to help people who do not have enough money to buy food. The three main causes are low income, benefit delays and benefit changes. The Trussell Trust food banks provide three days worth of emergency nutritionally balanced, non-perishable food. Between April 2016 and April 2017, 182 954 three-day emergency food supplies were given by The Trussell Trust.
Food banks rely largely on the generosity of members of the public. Typically, they contain nutritionally balanced, non-perishable tinned and dried foods which have been donated by the local community (Figure 21).
The items in Figure 21 are used as part of a food package for an individual or a family in crisis. Depending on the age and situation of the recipients, different numbers of these items are included in the package. Other items are also included.
Activity 10 Does the food bank list represent a balanced diet?
Allow approximately 10 minutes.
Think about the following questions:
- How well do the items on the food bank shopping list match with the Eatwell Guide?
- What additional items should be included to help make this a long-term nutritionally balanced diet?
Write two or three sentences in the box below. Click ‘Save’ when you are satisfied with what you have written.
OpenLearn - The science of nutrition and healthy eating
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