Research shows over 75% of people accessing food support from charity FareShare are women
In the latest survey by FareShare, the UK’s largest charity tackling food waste to support social good, a staggering three-quarters of respondents were women. This suggests that women are significantly more likely to access food support from the charity, as they struggle to make ends meet under the ongoing pressure of the cost of living crisis*.
The findings from FareShare have been released at a time when the impact of the cost of living crisis on women is the focus of an enquiry by the Government’s Women & Equalities Committee. FareShare’s data supports evidence that women across the UK are being disproportionately hit by ongoing financial pressures**.
The data is taken from a new survey by FareShare of over 2,500 individuals across the UK who receive food from the charity via a nationwide network of 8,500 charities and community groups.
Whether they are older women suffering loneliness and isolation, single parents with additional caring responsibilities, or simply working mums trying to stretch household budgets to feed their families, the survey shows that women are significantly more likely to need food support from charities and community groups.
In addition, the survey also highlighted how the ongoing crisis was hitting all sections of society, rather than those previous assumed to be those most in need. A significant number of people had a life-limiting health problem or condition; were in employment; had at least one child; had caring responsibilities; and had mental health issues, and all were having to turn to support from local groups.
Katie, from Stockton-on-Tees, has a six year old daughter, and a nine-year-old son with additional needs that Katie maintains a set structure to meet his caring needs. She receives food from FareShare via her children’s school:
“We currently receive job seekers allowance and have not yet been transferred to universal credit. I feel like I’m judged from other people when I say that though, because I do want to work. Everyone does. However, it is so hard to work around childcare and school times, especially when my eldest child has additional needs. We pay a small monthly fee for a food package from the school which is much cheaper than the shops, and ensures my cupboards remain stocked, and my children fed. Without help from the school it would be even harder to support my family. It can sometimes make you feel like a failure but when you’ve got mouths to feed, you do all you can.”
Charities within the FareShare network that support women and their families say that the cost of living crisis has led to substantially increased numbers accessing food alongside other vital services. Food insecurity fuels both hunger and loneliness, both of which will be felt acutely by women of all ages as winter and the festive season approaches.
Food from FareShare helps charities like The Children’s Kitchen in Bristol, which supports families by working with early years childcare settings in areas of the city with high levels of food insecurity.
Jo Ingleby, director of The Children’s Kitchen says: “All of our work is focused on bringing positive food experiences to children whose families may be facing food inequality. In our Family Food Sessions we spend lots of time talking and listening to the concerns of the families we work with. Mums tell us about the challenges they are facing with high food and energy costs, housing issues and the balance of wanting to provide healthy food for their children but rising food costs. With children born during Covid, these mums haven’t had so many chances to take part in baby groups, so they value the opportunity to get together, share food and support each other.”
George Wright, CEO of FareShare commented: “This survey paints a stark picture of a crisis that shows no signs of easing. The fact that almost 8 out of 10 people accessing food from FareShare via local charities are women is staggering. We can clearly see that the food FareShare redistributes is having a substantial social impact. Charities across the UK are turning food into much needed community support and giving people a vital hand up. However, as the festive season approaches, we know that many of these women and their families will continue to struggle, potentially facing loneliness and isolation because of food insecurity.
The recent budget did not do anything close to enough to support the millions of people who need help right now. We urgently need the Government to catch up and provide additional funding that will help us get good food that would be wasted to the people that need it.”
With local charities facing huge demand, FareShare needs more support to ensure that good-to-eat food is going to people who need it this winter, not to waste.
Visit https://fareshare.org.uk/ for more information on how to donate or volunteer.
