We are calling for an honest public conversation about the challenges and dilemmas of community food support, and how despite the best efforts of many organisations, this is not the solution to widespread food insecurity and poverty. The experience of being forced to rely on community food support to put food on the table is fundamentally traumatic for millions of people in the UK. 

Community food support, no matter how dignified, is not the solution to food insecurity. Instead, this lies in ensuring access to a living income for all, together with adequate social security provision.

However at the moment, thousands of community food support organisations are in operation across the UK.  Whilst recognising the need to move beyond food banks and emergency food provision, the Alliance recognises the vital role these organisations currently play in providing a safety net for vulnerable individuals and families.  Our aim is to support organisations to make their practice as dignified as possible, whilst also championing other anti-poverty strategies including support for a living income through social security payments, increased wages and a cash first approach. 

Acknowledging the immense strain faced by staff and volunteers, as well as the often limited resources at their disposal, the Alliance remains committed to supporting and empowering these frontline workers. By advocating for systemic change and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, we aspire to create a more dignified and equitable food system for all.

Our work is indebted to, and builds on the work of Nourish Scotland Dignity In Practice Project, Adur & Worthing Food Partnership, Walker et al’s research into Hunger Trauma, Ranta et al’s research on community supermarkets and their members, and Emergency Use Only: Understanding and reducing the use of food banks in the UK by Perry et al for Oxfam, 2014.

We are currently looking for organisations to support us to pilot and evaluate this work. If you are a community food support organisation who is interested in centering dignity in your work, please get in touch.