Investigating the quality of the diet of foodbank users in the UK

The rising demand for foodbanks and increasing hospital admissions as a result of ‘malnutrition’ are a reflection of growing food insecurity in the United Kingdom (UK). The adverse impact of this on dietary quality, health and general wellbeing is a growing public health concern. This programme of research aimed to explore why people use foodbanks, the factors that influence their quality of diet, and some of the ways to improve the diet of foodbank users. Mixed-methods were used incorporating interviews with foodbank users (N=18) and personnel (N=12) from 10 London foodbanks. Furthermore, foodbank (N=270) and Advice Centre (AC) (N=245) users from three London boroughs were surveyed about what led to their referral to foodbank, and the relationship of food insecurity, social support, competing expenditure and access to cooking or chilled storage facilities to their dietary quality. Interview data suggested that income crisis degraded the diet of foodbank users who used extreme coping strategies to maintain food sufficiency, in the face of competing expenditures, lack of social support and access to cooking and chilled food storage. Interviews with foodbank personnel suggest that future interventions should consider using foodbank as a point of contact to improve the diet of its users. This would involve meeting the needs of both foodbank users and volunteers, as well as working with agencies across other sectors such as policymakers and community members. Survey data showed that compared to local people attending AC, foodbank users had poorer dietary quality. This can be seen by a greater proportion of participants classified as having ‘not good’ overall dietary patterns, and lower consumptions of ‘healthy’ foods (e.g. oily fish, fruit, vegetables) (P<0.001). Furthermore, compared to AC users, foodbank users were more likely to experience severe food insecurity and greater financial strains. They were also more likely to experience adverse life events, lower social support, and had greater competing expenses and difficulties accessing cooking facilities. Of these, the adverse effect of income crisis on users’ quality of diet (P<0.001) was mediated by food insecurity

Who uses foodbanks and why? Exploring the impact of financial strain and adverse life events on food insecurity

Background Rising use of foodbanks highlights food insecurity in the UK. Adverse life events (e.g. unemployment, benefit delays or sanctions) and financial strains are thought to be the drivers of foodbank use. This research aimed to explore who uses foodbanks, and factors associated with increased food insecurity. Methods We surveyed those seeking help from front line crisis providers from foodbanks (N = 270) and a comparison group from Advice Centres (ACs) (N = 245) in relation to demographics, adverse life events, financial strain and household food security. Results About 55.9% of foodbank users were women and the majority were in receipt of benefits (64.8%). Benefit delays (31.9%), changes (11.1%) and low income (19.6%) were the most common reasons given for referral. Compared to AC users, there were more foodbank users who were single men without children, unemployed, currently homeless, experiencing more financial strain and adverse life events (P = 0.001). Food insecurity was high in both populations, and more severe if they also reported financial strain and adverse life events. Conclusions Benefit-related problems appear to be a key reason for foodbank referral. By comparison with other disadvantaged groups, foodbank users experienced more financial strain, adverse life events, both increased the severity of food insecurity