Foodbanks are playing an important part in Bristol’s response to the national cost of living crisis. With the price of food continuing to rise, these vital lifelines for low-income households are feeling the impact of the crisis as demand for food is surpassing the number of donations they are receiving.
Food price inflation data released in March 2023, highlighted that UK food prices are rising at the fastest rate in over 40 years. Those on low incomes are most likely to be impacted. In December 2022, 61 per cent of those in the most deprived areas of the UK were buying less food compared with the previous year. Price rises were particularly steep for household essentials like pasta, tea, and bread, while prices for low-fat milk increased by 46 per cent between December 2021 and December 2022.
Price increases like this are not sustainable for people on low incomes. We have seen throughout this crisis, and particularly during the winter months, that people have been forced to choose between heating their home and putting food on their table. The national government needs to step up given how much of an impact this crisis is having on our most vulnerable communities. As one of the richest countries in the world, Britain’s reliance on foodbanks is worsened by a lack of funding and support for residents, leaving many vulnerable.
Even though we’re in the spring, people are not out of difficulty. This national cost of living crisis is sadly going to continue.
Our annual Quality of Life survey revealed that 16 per cent of respondents from deprived areas had experienced some form of food insecurity in the last 12 months, compared with eight per cent across Bristol.
As would be expected, the national cost of living crisis has been driving up foodbank usage. In the past few months they’ve seen a significant rise in people coming through the doors to access their service, but they’ve also seen a huge decrease in the food and essential item donations they’ve been receiving. For example, from January to March 2023, Bristol North West Foodbank received 29,272kg of donations and have given out 38,043kg in the same period, which is a difference of 8,771kg.
Donations are vital for foodbanks, to enable them to support local people who are referred to them in crisis. If the trends continue, it will get more difficult. This is where you come in, if you can.
Foodbank reserves are running down and many of them are completely out of some items that make up a foodbank parcel. In some cases, they’ve been funding this themselves.
I know that times are tough for so many but if you can donate food or other essential items, no matter how much or how little, it really will make a difference. If you can help, read the details below to find out how you can donate to each foodbank and what items they really need. Thank you.
How and what to donate
North Bristol and South Glos Foodbank
- Buy items at supermarkets and place them in the collection areas in store or at a community collection point – find your nearest here
- Donate through their online shop
- Make a financial donation
- Download the Bank the Food app and follow North Bristol and South Glos Foodbank to get notifications about what they need and where you can donate.
- Follow the foodbank on social media to see what their most needed items are.
Donations needed: Long-life fruit juice, tinned ham/spam etc, UHT milk, tinned tomatoes, instant mash, sponge puddings, sugar, washing powder
- Buy items at supermarkets and place them in the collection areas in the store or at a community collection point – find your nearest here
- Make a financial donation
- Follow the foodbank on social media to see what their most needed items are
Donations needed: Bags of rice, UHT milk, UHT fruit juice, instant mash, shampoo and conditioner, sanitary towels, tins of custard and rice pudding, sauces (ketchup, gravy, brown sauce), tinned fruit
South and East Bristol Foodbank
- Buy items at supermarkets and place them in the collection areas in the store or at a community collection point – find your nearest here
- Donate through their online shop
- Make a financial donation
- Download the Bank the Food app and follow South and East Bristol Foodbank to get notifications about what they need and where you can donate.
- Follow the foodbank on social media to see what their most needed items are
Donations needed: tinned fruit, tinned fish, tinned meal meals, jam, long life milk, tinned potatoes, toilet roll, instant coffee, shampoo, custard
For more cost of living advice and signposting, visit the Bristol City Council website.