Food banks set to face winter surge

The council has increased Food Hub funding to its highest level ever at £885,000 to support the vital food aid organisations across the borough to distribute food where needed.

Since the cost of living of crisis began many people across the country have been relying on food banks to survive.

Anti-poverty charity The Trussell Trust estimates it will provide a food parcel every 10 seconds over the coming months.

The Trussell Trust has warned the rising cost of essential items means demand will only continue to rise this winter.

The Food Hub in Bethnal Green, which supplies local charities with fresh food and groceries, was originally established during the pandemic and is expected to distribute more than 2.8 million meals worth of food in this financial year.

The hub remains a key part of the food support network in the borough and supports more than 80 food aid projects as well as providing volunteering opportunities for residents who benefit from soft skills on the path to employment. 

The funding from the council will be used to buy essential food items in bulk at wholesale prices – as well as supporting deliveries from food repurposing charities to salvage quality food that would otherwise be destined for landfill.

The project is supported by additional funding from the Department for Work and Pension’s Household Support Fund.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman said:

"Food banks offer more than emergency food – they provide hope, dignity and relief to people facing hardship.

"We are deeply grateful for the tireless work of the volunteers who provide this vital support, welcoming people into a warm, safe space, and providing them with not just healthy food but also signposting to wider advice and support."

Deputy Mayor, Maium Talukdar visited the Food Hub to see the volunteers in action who were busy packing food crates to be sent out.

Cllr Talukdar said:

"As the cost of living crisis continues, many people across the country, including in our borough, are relying on food banks to get by.

"It is essential to not just provide access to food to those who need but also access to nutritious food, as unhealthy diets have a knock-on effect on mental health and lead to poor educational attainment in children. We will continue to work with our partners to support this vital work to reduce poverty and help those in crisis."

Ayla Buyuran, FOOD Club Coordinator for Family Action, said:

"The Hub provides a good variety of products, which helps us offer balanced food to people accessing our Food Stores service.

"The additional food and support we receive from the Food Hub are essential to our service. Our food stores programme, in turn, supports over 500 Tower Hamlets families"

For advice and support on managing debt, where you can get help with household bills, school uniforms and much more visit our cost of living webpage.

There is also access to an online benefits checker which residents can use to find out what help they are entitled in a few clicks of a button.