South West Food Banks Distribute Over 114,100 Parcels in Six Months

The Trussell Trust, a charity, reports that the number of food parcels distributed across the south-west of England has increased by 62% over five years since 2019. The charity added that its network of food banks in the region, which includes Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, Wiltshire, and Gloucestershire, distributed just over 114,100 emergency food parcels between April and September in 2024. Data revealed that this total included 15,763 parcels distributed in Cornwall and 6,484 in Plymouth. The charity also stated that 63% of food parcels distributed across the UK were delivered to households with children of all ages up to 16. Trussell chief executive Emma Revie said: “The sheer numbers of people in the South West still facing hunger and hardship is heartbreaking. This cannot go on and we refuse to stand by while so many of us are pushed to the brink, left without enough money to live on.” The trust further reported that the total number of parcels provided across the UK was 67,000 fewer compared to the same period last year, representing a 4% decrease. However, it noted that the need for emergency food remained high, and the number of parcels provided across the UK was 69% greater than the same period in 2019. Trussell stated it was working with communities, food banks, and charities, including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, to call on the UK government to take urgent action. Ms Revie said: “There have been promising steps, but we need a clearer plan with more decisive action to invest in our social security system if we are to end hunger once and for all.” A government spokesperson commented: “The mass dependence on food banks is unacceptable – that’s why we’ve extended the Household Support Fund again to help struggling families with the cost of essentials.” The spokesperson added: “Alongside this, we are increasing the national living wage, uprating benefits and helping over one million households by introducing a fair repayment rate on Universal Credit deductions, while our Child Poverty Taskforce develops an ambitious strategy to give all children the best start in life.” Zoe Nixon, foodbank manager at Newquay Foodbank, noted that Newquay experienced a 10% increase in emergency food parcel deliveries, in contrast to the 4% decrease observed across the rest of the country. She added that, more worryingly, this equated to a 29.8% increase in the number of children involved in the households receiving support from the Newquay Foodbank. Ms Nixon said: “Food banks are doing more and more apart from food.” Ms Nixon added this included financial inclusion work and signposting.