The number of individuals utilising food banks in the UK has increased from 26,000 in 2008-2009 to more than one hundred times that number by 2023. In September 2022, nearly one in five British households experienced moderate to severe food insecurity.

The Trussell Trust, the largest (but not the only) network of food banks in the UK, distributed emergency food parcels to nearly three million individuals in the fiscal year ending in April 2023.

Food banks distribute free, prepackaged food packages to those in greatest need. They have substantially assisted low-income households, particularly during the cost-of-living crisis.

They are not, however, flawless. Food charities offer limited options and rely on unreliable supply chains. In addition, research indicates that individuals who utilise food banks frequently experience shame and stigma.

My investigation with Bournemouth University colleague Heather Hartwell has uncovered a viable alternative. Community markets that sell food and domestic items at subsidised prices to everyone could be a viable solution to the problems of existing food assistance programmes.

Food pantries are largely dependent on donations. However, rising food prices make it difficult for potential benefactors to purchase that extra can of beans and other items. Beneficiaries of food organisations also informed us that most packages contained dried, canned, and processed foods.

While food parcels must have a lengthy shelf life, individuals experiencing food insecurity also desire a selection of fresh and frozen foods, including meat. Health issues like diabetes, asthma, and obesity are also linked to the limited variety and quality of available foods.

Additionally, food banks must empower those who utilise them to become self-sufficient. Rather, they frequently lead to long-term dependence on food assistance. Consequently, food banks provide only transient relief from hunger without addressing the underlying causes of food insecurity.

Localised markets

Food charities and community markets operate differently. They are accessible to all members of the local community, regardless of income, and offer various culinary options, school uniforms, and toiletries.

Community markets do not rely solely on public or corporate donations. They pay a subscription fee to charity networks like FareShare, which give the market surplus items sold to the community at a discount. All sales proceeds are reinvested to fund future volume purchases.

People with low incomes who shop at community markets reported feeling more independent and a part of the community and appreciating having access to affordable food. They did not believe their reliance on food assistance prevented them from participating in society. 

Someone stated, “I much prefer being able to select my food over being provided portions. To be able to pay for goods, even at subsidised rates, and then choose what I want based on what I want to consume is simply a sign of respect.”

Feeding all

These markets are accessible to all community members, including those with higher incomes. People of greater means told us they wanted to shop at the markets because they believed they contributed to the programme by spending their money there.

Moreover, community markets serve as a hub by providing people with organised group activities and services, such as culinary and gardening classes, yoga, and sewing. Community markets combat poverty, isolation, and other health issues through these activities.

Community markets are self-sufficient economically. They subscribe to charitable food surplus redistribution organisations using funds derived from selling products at subsidised prices. This financial autonomy distinguishes them from food banks, which frequently rely on grants. They can also be environmentally sustainable by redistributing excess food to local emergency services and farms, reducing food waste and their carbon footprint.

As the number of individuals requiring food assistance rises, local and national governments must support alternatives to food banks. For the family struggling to fill the refrigerator or the student grappling with higher rent, our findings indicate that community markets could greatly assist individuals to maintain their dignity and participate in the community.