POVERTY AND FOOD INSECURITY

Introduction

Problem Statement

The food insecurity and poverty are hidden crisis present in London, UK which is affecting many families and children to remain hungry and face lack of adequate nutrient intake in the body to retain health and well-being (Keith-Jennings et al., 2019). One of the major problems contributing to the food insecurity development in London is increased wastage of surplus food by households, restaurants, supermarkets and others. This is because increased waste of food is creating lack of adequate food availability for the needy and creating limited resources that are priced high to be able to be bought by the rich with no capability of poor to avail them (Sosenko et al., 2019). The other problem related to the issue is lack of adequate income in the poor families who are living under poverty that is leading them incapable to arrange enough food for the family members and face food insecurity leading them to be remain hungry (Power et al., 2020). Thus, to resolve the problem, London has developed the strategy of creating various food banks which are charitable organisation that arrange and distributes food to the people under poverty (Loopstra, 2018). Therefore, in this study, the problem at the present will be to determine if the food banks developed in the London are successful in reducing food insecurity among the people living under poverty.

Aim

The aim of the study is to identify the impact of food banks in London communities to reduce food insecurity among people living under poverty.

Objectives

To identify the factors of food insecurity and poverty among people under poverty in London communities

To evaluate the techniques used by food banks in reducing food insecurity among people under poverty in London communities

To analyse the challenges faced by food banks in reducing food insecurity among people under poverty in London communities

To compare the efficiency of food bank use in reducing food insecurity among people under poverty in London communities with other communities in the UK

Research Question

A well-framed research question is required to determine the focus of the study and the problem to be resolved. The research question to be addressed in the research is:

What is the impact of food banks in London communities to reduce food insecurity among people living under poverty?

Key Terms

Food insecurity, Poverty, London communities. Hungry people, health and well-being.

Background of the Study

Rationale of the Study

On a global scale, food insecurity and poverty are low in the UK as UNICEF mentions that 41% of the children in the UK live in a moderately or severely food insecure household in the country (mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk, 2019). However, food insecurity in the UK when compared with EU, it indicates that UK stands among fourth in the nation in relation to food insecurity and hunger among the poor people (data.london.gov.uk, 2019). A survey in London organised in 2019 reported that 400,000 children in different London communities are experiencing food insecurity and all of them belong from the poverty-stricken classes. This is equal to 1 in 6 (17%) children in the London communities experiencing food insecurity (data.london.gov.uk, 2019). The survey also indicates that 1 in 5 adults (36% single parents and 32% black people) are facing food insecurity in London communities and mentioned that 49% of parents facing food insecurity for their children are isolated socially (mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk, 2019). In relation to poverty, 28% of the people in London are living in poverty which is more than the national average of 22% in the UK (mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk, 2019). This indicates that food insecurity and poverty are highly prevalent within the London communities in comparison to EU nations affecting both the children and adults in the area.

The food insecurity and poverty are an issue because they both are intricately linked which negatively affects the well-being and health of individuals (Sosenko et al., 2019). This is because poverty leads the household unable to have enough money and resources to afford sufficient quantity and quality of healthy foods for the family. It leads the children and adults in the family get deprived from adequate nutrient required for healthy functioning of body (Leddy et al., 2020). The food insecurity also affects the children to develop cognitive and mental decline with development of physical health issues out of inadequate nutrients been taken into the body (Gundersen and Ziliak, 2018). The food insecurity and poverty has currently become an issue because it is found that more people in London are spending increased amount on food, but they are eating less and wasting food contributing to worsening the problem. This is because food wastage leads to lack of adequate and secured food availability for the needy (Pai and Bahadur, 2020). In order to manage food insecurity and poverty, food banks are been constructed at the London communities. This is because they act in preventing food waste and distribute food to poor people to overcome food insecurity (Mook et al., 2020). Thus, the current study is required to be developed to understand the way food insecurity and poverty is affecting London communities and the effectiveness of the food banks created in managing and reducing the problem.

Synthesis of Literature

The food security and effective nutritional status are key purpose of the people to live with improved health and well-being (Ali et al., 2019). However, it is seen to be disrupted in case of the poor individuals living under poverty making them face food insecurity and lack of nutrition (Ligmann-Zielinska and Rivers, 2018). Food insecurity is mainly defined as the contribution in which disruption of food intake or eating patterns among individuals occurs due to lack of resources such as money and others (Galiè et al., 2019).

In the mid-1970s, the food insecurity primarily focussed requirement to produce more food and ensure its better distribution as key components to resolve the problem. Thus, at the time, the key component focussed for food security development is improving total availability of food calories at the global and national level as it is means of resolving problem (Nwozor et al., 2019). However, the study by Fraanje and Lee-Gammage (2018) mentions that in the 21st century, four key components are considered related to food insecurity which are access, availability, utilisation and stability. The lack of food availability leads to food insecurity as it creates scare quantity of quality food that are required by the people for consumption and remaining healthy (Hendriks, 2015). The lack of food access leads to food insecurity as it makes the household and individuals due to lack of affordability, preference and allocation of food face lack of acquiring sufficient food to retain healthy and nutritious diet (Bonanno and Li, 2015). The inability of the people to explore and access sufficient quantity of diverse nutritious food leads to food insecurity and the lack of stability along with fluctuations in the availability of food has also contributed to the problem (Hendriks, 2015).

There are different levels of food insecurity which are chronic food insecurity, transitory food insecurity and seasonal food insecurity. The chronic food insecurity is mainly persistent and long-term insecure availability of food in which the requirement among food needed for consumption for the population is not available for prolonged period (Hernandez, 2015). The transitory food insecurity is referred to temporary insecurity related to food in which sudden drop in the access and production of food occurs leading the people unable to access sufficient food required for their healthy living (Cafiero et al., 2018). The seasonal food insecurity occurs predictably, and it is not related to influence only the poor people but also the people of all other classes (Hernandez, 2015).

The study by Pollard and Booth (2019) mentioned that cause of food insecurity in the EU countries is mainly people who live in poverty and not due to availability of little food compared to the need in the market. The evidence from the study suggests that poverty leads to food insecurity because poor households usually lack adequate income due to the lack of adequacy and presence of benefit system for the poor in the society (Garratt, 2020). In contrast, the study by Hall et al. (2017) mentioned that food insecurity is raised due to increased population growth. This is because higher population growth indicates increased number of mouths in the communities to be fed with requirement of enhanced quantity of food. However, the lack of production of food at per with the rising rate of the population creates unavailability and access of adequate food for the public (Koren and Bagozzi, 2016). It is evident as in the last 100 years due to the advancement in medical field, lower mortality and others has contributed to 10-fold population increase globally (ourworldindata.org, 2019). The study by Szabo (2016) argued that increased loss of land to urbanisation and reducing farmlands is leading to food insecurity among people. This is because it is leading less food per people in the population to be produced which are priced high making it able to avail by the rich as they have enhanced income and efficiency to buy them compared to the poor (Szabo, 2016).

In order to manage the food insecurity, the use of food banks is considered to be key strategy. Food banks mainly are the non-profitable and charitable organisation which distributes food to individuals who have difficulty in purchasing and availing food to resolve their hunger (trusselltrust.org, 2020). In the UK, since 2017, nearly 2000 food banks are mentioned to be present with 651 food banks mentioned to be present as independent of the Trussell network that mainly manages food banks in the UK (trusselltrust.org, 2020). In comparison to the number of meals distributed through food bank across EU nations, it is seen that UK is much behind other countries such as France, Italy and others (BBC, 2014). This is evident as, in 2016, 1.9 million meals in a year is mentioned to be distributed by the food bank in the UK to resolve poverty and food insecurity (trusselltrust.org, 2020). However, in France, nearly 146 million meals are distributed through food banks to the poor people to ensure their better health and well-being (fondation-carrefour.org, 2016).

The study by Lambie‐Mumford and Green (2017) mentions that food banks are important because they resolve food insecurity for the poor by increasing the offering of fresh variety of foods contributed by the local people to needy individuals from the food pantry. This is evident as the food distributed from the banks are free of cost and the poor people who are incapable to buy adequate food do not require money to avail them, in turn, making them able to use the food and meet health needs along with hunger. In contrast, the study by Garthwaite (2016) mentions that food banks not only resolve food insecurity through effective distribution of food but also limits the wastage of food to avoid insecurity development. This is because food wastage indicates increased buying of food and not using them properly to have them which leads to gradually develop lack of insecurity of food availability in the market in adequate amount making many people unable to access required food. Thus, the existing literatures are seen to provide brief overview regarding food insecurity and poverty and related food bank use. However, it does not specially mention the key factors present in London, the UK which has led to increased food insecurity among poor people. Moreover, the literature fails to inform way food bank in London communities are performing and the efficiency of them in curbing food insecurity. Thus, explore these gaps in the study, the current research will be performed.

Theoretical Approach

A mixed theoretical approach will be used in framing the current study. The mixed theoretical approach includes using qualitative and quantitative research data to determine the prevalence of the raised problem and describe comprehensive information regarding the study (Alavi et al., 2018). The mixed theoretical approach will be used in framing the study because it helps to understand contradictions that are raised between qualitative results and quantitative findings in the study (Timans et al., 2019). Moreover, it will be used as it helps to provide more improved point of view in explain and resolving the raised problem (Alavi et al., 2018).

Significance of the Study

The current study is significant as it would help to understand the extent of impact of the current food banks in improving food insecurity and poverty in the London communities which was not previously explored. Moreover, it is significant as it would help to understand the causes of food insecurity in the London communities and the techniques applied by food banks to be successful in resolving the issue which has negative health consequences on the people if not resolved.

Research Methodology

The narrative literature review will be used as the research design in explaining the information to answer the raised question. This is because narrative review helps to comprehensively explain the data in detail to resolve the raised question in the study (Byrne, 2016). The secondary research strategy will be used and according to it, the data is to be gathered by using electronic search strategy. This is because the electronic search strategy helps to gatherer pool of data within limited time and money without creating any geographical or physical barriers (McGowan et al., 2016). The platforms to be used for electronic search are CINHAL, Medline and Cochrane Library. The keywords to be used are “food insecurity”, “poverty”, “food bank”, “London”, “UK” and others.

In the study, for selecting data the inclusion criteria such as articles published on and after 2015, written in English, contains information of food bank and food insecurity in London communities, fully accessible, grey literature and academic information will be followed. The exclusion criteria such as articles published before 2015, partially accessible and does not contain information regarding food insecurity and food banks in London will be followed.

Scope of Research Project

The focus of the project will be to explain food insecurity among people living under poverty and the way food banks in the London communities are going to resolve the problem. The poverty as a single issue is wider topic and not to be explored separately other than linking it with food insecurity as it would lead to create a diversion from the key focus of the current topic.

Limitations

The limitation of the study is that it is organised only in specific area that is London in the UK. Thus, the wider context of the food insecurity along with related poverty problem existing within the vast areas of UK would not be explored that could have provide better enriched formation of the study. The other limitation is that primary data collection method is used due to which current data directly from the participants could not be explored and presented to support the authenticity of the secondary data.

Provisional Chapter Headings for the Dissertation

Chapter 1. Introduction

Overview of the topic along with rationale behind executing the topic is to be explained.

Aims, objectives and question are to be mentioned

Chapter 2. Literature Review

Existing studies are to be explored and data from them are to be presented to inform the background of the study topic

Chapter 3. Methodology

Methods and techniques of data collection, analysis, selection and others are to be mentioned

Chapter 4. Results and Discussion

Facts and data from existing sources are to be gathered and presented to resolve the raised problem

Key information is to be discussed to meet the raised objectives in the study

Chapter 5. Conclusions

Summarisation of key points from the study.

References

Alavi, M., Archibald, M., McMaster, R., Lopez, V. and Cleary, M., 2018. Aligning theory and methodology in mixed methods research: Before design theoretical placement. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 21(5), pp.527-540.

Ali, N.B., Tahsina, T., Hoque, D.M.E., Hasan, M.M., Iqbal, A., Huda, T.M. and El Arifeen, S., 2019. Association of food security and other socio-economic factors with dietary diversity and nutritional statuses of children aged 6-59 months in rural Bangladesh. PloS one, 14(8), p.e0221929.

BBC 2014, Food bank use tiny compared with Germany, says minister, Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-30470120 [Accessed on: 30April, 2021]

Bonanno, A. and Li, J., 2015. Food insecurity and food access in US metropolitan areas. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, 37(2), pp.177-204.

Byrne, J.A., 2016. Improving the peer review of narrative literature reviews. Research integrity and peer review, 1(1), pp.1-4.

Cafiero, C., Viviani, S. and Nord, M., 2018. Food security measurement in a global context: The food insecurity experience scale. Measurement, 116, pp.146-152.

data.london.gov.uk 2019, Food security in London: Headline findings from The Survey of Londoners, Available at: https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/food-security-2019 [Accessed on: 30April, 2021]

data.london.gov.uk 2019, The first food security estimates for London, Available at: https://data.london.gov.uk/blog/the-first-food-security-estimates-for-london/ [Accessed on: 30April, 2021]

fondation-carrefour.org 2016, Food Banks in France and abroad, Available at: https://www.fondation-carrefour.org/en/projets/food-banks-france-and-abroad [Accessed on: 30April, 2021]

Fraanje, W., and Lee-Gammage, S., 2018, Being able to reliably obtain, consume and metabolise sufficient quantities of safe and nutritious and foods, is essential to human well-being, Available at: https://www.tabledebates.org/building-blocks/what-food-security [Accessed on: 30April, 2021]

Galiè, A., Teufel, N., Girard, A.W., Baltenweck, I., Dominguez-Salas, P., Price, M.J., Jones, R., Lukuyu, B., Korir, L., Raskind, I. and Smith, K., 2019. Women’s empowerment, food security and nutrition of pastoral communities in Tanzania. Global Food Security, 23, pp.125-134.

Garratt, E., 2020. Food insecurity in Europe: Who is at risk, and how successful are social benefits in protecting against food insecurity?. Journal of Social Policy, 49(4), pp.785-809.

Garthwaite, K., 2016. Stigma, shame and'people like us': an ethnographic study of foodbank use in the UK. Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 24(3), pp.277-289.

Gundersen, C. and Ziliak, J.P., 2018. Food insecurity research in the United States: Where we have been and where we need to go. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, 40(1), pp.119-135.

Hall, C., Dawson, T.P., Macdiarmid, J.I., Matthews, R.B. and Smith, P., 2017. The impact of population growth and climate change on food security in Africa: looking ahead to 2050. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 15(2), pp.124-135.

Hendriks, S.L., 2015. The food security continuum: a novel tool for understanding food insecurity as a range of experiences. Food security, 7(3), pp.609-619.

Hernandez, D.C., 2015. The impact of cumulative family risks on various levels of food insecurity. Social science research, 50, pp.292-302.

Keith-Jennings, B., Llobrera, J. and Dean, S., 2019. Links of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program with food insecurity, poverty, and health: evidence and potential. American journal of public health, 109(12), pp.1636-1640.

Koren, O. and Bagozzi, B.E., 2016. From global to local, food insecurity is associated with contemporary armed conflicts. Food Security, 8(5), pp.999-1010.

Lambie‐Mumford, H. and Green, M.A., 2017. Austerity, welfare reform and the rising use of food banks by children in E ngland and W ales. Area, 49(3), pp.273-279.

Leddy, A.M., Weiser, S.D., Palar, K. and Seligman, H., 2020. A conceptual model for understanding the rapid COVID-19–related increase in food insecurity and its impact on health and healthcare. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 112(5), pp.1162-1169.

Ligmann-Zielinska, A. and Rivers, L., 2018. A holistic vision for food security research.pp.-23-56.

Loopstra, R., 2018. Rising food bank use in the UK: Sign of a new public health emergency?.pp.34-78.

McGowan, J., Sampson, M., Salzwedel, D.M., Cogo, E., Foerster, V. and Lefebvre, C., 2016. PRESS peer review of electronic search strategies: 2015 guideline statement. Journal of clinical epidemiology, 75, pp.40-46.

Mook, L., Murdock, A. and Gundersen, C., 2020. Food banking and food insecurity in high-income countries. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 31(5), pp.833-840.

Nwozor, A., Olanrewaju, J.S. and Ake, M.B., 2019. National Insecurity and the Challenges of Food Security in Nigeria. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 8(4), pp.9-9.

ourworldindata.org 2019, World Population Growth, Available at: https://ourworldindata.org/world-population-growth [Accessed on: 30April, 2021]

Pai, S. and Bahadur, K., 2020. The Impact of Food Insecurity on Child Health. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 67(2), pp.387-396.

Pollard, C.M. and Booth, S., 2019. Food insecurity and hunger in rich countries—it is time for action against inequality. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(10), p.1804.

Power, M., Doherty, B., Pybus, K. and Pickett, K., 2020. How COVID-19 has exposed inequalities in the UK food system: The case of UK food and poverty. Emerald Open Research, 2.pp.7-90.

Sosenko, F., Littlewood, M., Bramley, G., Fitzpatrick, S., Blenkinsopp, J. and Wood, J., 2019. A Study of Poverty and Food Insecurity in the UK. The Trussell Trust.pp.29-45.

Szabo, S., 2016. Urbanisation and food insecurity risks: Assessing the role of human development. Oxford Development Studies, 44(1), pp.28-48.

Timans, R., Wouters, P. and Heilbron, J., 2019. Mixed methods research: what it is and what it could be. Theory and Society, 48(2), pp.193-216.

trusselltrust.org 2020, End of Year Stats: Food Bank, Available at: https://www.trusselltrust.org/news-and-blog/latest-stats/end-year-stats/ [Accessed on: 30April, 2021]

Looking for further insights on Perspectives Beyond Criminology and Bureaucracy? Click here.