Star Emma backs fight for affordable food
DAME Emma Thompson is supporting a campaign to end child hunger, saying it is “a moral duty” to ensure all youngsters have access to a healthy and affordable diet.
She has teamed up with young ambassadors from The Food Foundation to highlight the millions of children who go hungry. Some give
Saffron, 15, Portsmouth
My family have often struggled to buy food. We were evicted a couple of times, it led to really tough times. Mum and Dad both try and work but even then food is really expensive and I have three brothers and sisters. I’m also autistic and can be really picky what I eat – it’s an increased pressure. I want government to think more about what kids eat and how bad junk food is. their stories below. Actress Emma, 61, said: “The UK is the world’s sixth richest economy – there’s no need for any child to go hungry.
“The fact that they are, and in increasing numbers, suggests a broken food system that must be repaired as a matter of urgency.”
foodfoundation.org.uk
Jani, 18, Huddersfield
I became a food ambassador as my mum often didn’t have money for food – I saw her struggle all the time. I’ve always wanted to do sport but sometimes I’d not go to PE or training as it would make me more hungry. For kids to follow their dreams, they have to be able to eat. If you’re hungry you can’t study. I used to go to bed early to forget feeling hungry.
Tyler, 15, Blackburn
It’s the poorest kids on free school meals who used to get bullied at school most. It’s so wrong as they are already having a tough time. But if you stand up for them the bullies do it to you as well, so normally we can’t help. If Boris Johnson came to my school, I’d show him what goes on and how it feels to be poor. But I don’t think he’d do that, would he?
VOW Emma
Tia, 17, Darwen
Often, I have to get something from the freezer for our tea as we can’t afford fresh fruit and veg. When we were younger, we’d often go to my Nan’s to eat as we didn’t have enough at home or we’d run out of electricity on the meter. It’s the stigma about being poor, kids try and hide it. It’s wrong that kids in this country go hungry. I see it every day where I live.