tackling food injustice in our community

The eye-opening Broken Plate Report by The Food Foundation highlights the disheartening increase in UK food prices and the disparity in food accessibility and affordability between the most and least deprived populations in the UK. Those in the most deprived fifth would have to spend a staggering 50% of their disposable income to afford a balanced and nutritious diet, while the least deprived fifth only requires 11%. The cost of foods like fruits and vegetables are over twice as expensive per calorie compared to processed foods high in fat and sugar, and fast-food outlets are cheap and common-place, with one in four places to buy food being a fast-food establishment.

The report paints a concerning picture of food injustice and its impact on health, and the stark reality of this has been felt in our community.

“I cannot afford a healthy diet – supermarket veg is expensive. I have health issues because of this – diabetes – my children also.”

It doesn’t have to be this way. Whilst recognising that change must happen on a larger scale, we’ve been running community-focused initiatives to help tackle the inexcusable reality the people we work with are facing around food injustice. Now over halfway through 2023, we’re reviewing the impact that these projects have had, looking more widely at the aims of Southwark Council to tackle the problem and calling for societal change to achieve a healthier, more equitable and plant-friendly future for all.

The DINE project

The DINE project is our monthly community supper club serving plant-based, sustainable food with the aim of tackling food injustice and social isolation in the local community. DINE runs on a loose ‘pay-it-forward’ model so diners have the option to eat for free, pay what they can, cover the cost of their meal or pay more as a donation to support others. As a non-profit project, all payments go directly back into DINE so that we can continue to provide free or low-cost meals to all.

Operating on a pay-what-you-feel model, we hope to remove obstacles to good food so that eating well is easy and dignified, and cost is not a barrier. By seating all guests on mixed tables, diners can meet and connect with others in the community. Moreover, by encouraging guest chefs from the community and sharing recipes, DINE aims to create opportunities for people to come together, discover new types of food and foster a more equitable approach to food access. 

DINE has bought together 168 people together to share food, stories and solidarity and has provided 116 free or low-cost plant-based meals over the past six months.

The FRIDGE project

“The recession and now the cost of living has continued to hamper the most poorest. I am very grateful. I am able to feed my children. Thank you.”

The FRIDGE project gives free, fresh fruit, veg, and other fridge and store items to anyone who needs support in accessing good food. The FRIDGE project is located in our café and open to anyone and offers fresh surplus food donated by The Felix Project, local businesses, and members of the community. It aims to support people to save money, access healthy food, and reduce waste; helping people and the planet. The FRIDGE works on a ‘take what you need, leave what you can’ basis to bring the community together and support each other whilst also allowing people to choose food in a dignified manner without stigma.

FRIDGE was set up in 2022 as a response to feedback from members of our community who expressed the need for further support in accessing good food. Working with the community means we involve people with direct experience to guide our services and be involved in decision-making, offering support in a dignified and respectful way.

Over the past six months, FRIDGE has distributed the equivalent of 9,179 meals – with vegetables, fruits and dairy being the most commonly accessed products.

“When hungry, I have been given a meal with fresh ingredients. Tasty and nutritious.”

The bigger picture

While projects like DINE and FRIDGE have made impact in addressing immediate food insecurity, we acknowledge that they’re not long-term solutions to the complex issue of food injustice. We must continue striving for a more equitable society that ensures everyone can afford a healthy and balanced diet, both at home and out and about.

“With the change of the cost of living, it has been difficult at times to buy food at the normal cost. Sometimes getting food from here helps with that and I greatly appreciate.”

The Broken Plate Report reminds us that food inequality is a multifaceted problem rooted in structural issues like poverty. Addressing these challenges requires collective efforts from the government, food corporations and businesses, policymakers, community leaders and individuals. It’s time to recognise that the responsibility for improving the Nation's health lies not solely with individuals but with social and commercial determinants of health like economic instability and the environment.

Southwark Council, in partnership with the Southwark Food Action Alliance, have developed the Southwark Sustainable Food Strategy. The strategy’s goals focus on creating a more sustainable food system to improve health and wellbeing, reduce inequalities, and protect the planet. Some of the key objectives of the Southwark Sustainable Food Strategy include building a strong local food partnership to foster community connections, addressing food insecurity through the Right to Food Initiative, and promoting planet-healthy diets. Additionally, the strategy strives to support sustainable food practices through community-led enterprises and the use of the council's buying power. We support and promote this initiative, with projects like DINE and FRIDGE aligning with its ethos and goals.

As we reflect on the impact of our community projects, the lessons from the Broken Plate Report and look to the future with the Southwark Food Strategy, we remain committed to creating a sustainable and just food system in our local community. To reach a healthier, more equitable and plant-friendly future for all, we must see food insecurity eradicated, nutritious and balanced food options accessible to all, and the wellbeing of our community prioritised.

“The food here is a lifeline, thank you.”

In this blog post, we talk a lot about ‘equity’. We wrote a blog post for International Women’s Day looking at the difference between ‘equality’ and ‘equity’. You can find the blog post here.