Food banks can now keep up with the increasing demand from citywide individuals in need.

Liverpool has reached its ‘worst moment’ in the food insecurity crisis, as the city’s food banks can no longer meet the astronomical demand from struggling families.

In the past year, the Trussell Trust distributed more than three million food parcels, with more than one million children residing in households receiving food parcels.

The situation in Liverpool mirrors these bleak national statistics, with campaigners claiming that the cost of living crisis has reached its worst point, with food banks unable to meet rising demand.

Naomi Maynard is the director of the good food programme at Feeding Liverpool and works to connect individuals in Liverpool with food assistance. She stated, “The Trussell Trust‘s statistics reflect everything we’ve observed in Liverpool.” Our most recent data indicates that over 2,000 emergency food packages are distributed weekly in the city.

These numbers are from December, and based on knowledge of the situation, this number has certainly increased since then. It has been a very difficult first three months of the year.”

Ms Maynard stated that while the Trussell Trust has seen a 25% increase in people seeking assistance at its food banks in Liverpool, other centres have seen even larger increases, with families particularly affected.

She stated, “Over the past year, the number of families requiring emergency food assistance at the North Liverpool food bank has increased by fifty per cent.” These are parents with children who cannot satisfy their basic needs. “It’s important to remember that in many areas of Liverpool, the starting point was already low before the pandemic, and it’s only worsened since then.”

Liverpool has long-standing issues with poverty, but where foodbanks were once well-stocked due to regular donations, they are now running out of food.

Ms Maynard added, “Currently, food pantries in the city are in dire straits. We used to have vast food reserves, but over the past year, donations have decreased because middle-income individuals are now being constrained.

“This is the worst the city has ever been. It is the worst I’ve ever seen. Demand exceeds donations, and food banks must apply for grants to acquire enough food to assist those in need. The system is no longer functioning.”

She added that she was astounded by Bank of England chief economist Huw Pill’s statement that Britons must ‘assume that they are worse off.’

Ms Maynard added, “It is quite a risky narrative to construct with this broad approach. We cannot tell those with the lowest incomes, who cannot already afford fundamental necessities, that they must accept their poverty or justify it in this manner. It is perilous.”

Ian Byrne, member of parliament for Liverpool West Derby, has led the struggle for a legal Right to Food to combat food insecurity. According to him, the most recent statistics indicate that immediate action is required.

He stated, “These horrifying numbers reveal the extent of hunger in our communities, and the government must act.” We have millions of people who are unable to prepare a regular meal. One in three people in our wonderful city of Liverpool are food insecure.

“We need systemic change and a Right To Food immediately because this cannot persist in one of the world’s wealthiest nations in 2023, not 1823. Hunger is a political choice, and they can choose to address this scourge with a Right to Food. We don’t need tinkering or sticking plasters; we must cast the kitchen sink at it.”