A record 3.1 million food parcels were distributed by the food bank network Trussell Trust this year – nearly double the number provided five years ago.
New figures released today reveal that more than 3.1 million emergency food parcels were provided to people facing hardship between April 2023 and March 2024, with more than 1.1 million of these parcels provided for children.
This is the highest number of parcels distributed in a single year by the charity and represents a 94% increase compared to five years ago.
Emma Revie, chief executive at the Trussell Trust said: ‘It’s 2024 and we’re facing historically high levels of food bank need. As a society, we cannot allow this to continue. We must not let food banks become the new norm.’
She added: ‘A supportive social security system is the bedrock on which we end hunger for good. Building on this, we need much more effective employment and financial support for parents, carers and disabled people and action to ensure everyone can have the security we all need to access opportunities and have hope for the future, through more secure and flexible jobs and investment in social housing.’
