Food bank use up again

New figures released last month by the Trussell Trust revealed 259,744 emergency food parcels were provided to people facing hardship in Scotland between April 2022 to March 2023 – with almost 90,000 of these provided for children.

This is a 30 per cent increase compared to the same period last year and, alarmingly, the number of parcels provided this year is 50 per cent higher than the amount distributed by food banks in the Trussell Trust network in Scotland five years ago.

The figures make for stark reading and again reiterate the work that is still needed to be done to lift people out of poverty.

My Right to Food bill aims to help end hunger in Scotland.

As I said in my consultation foreword to the Scottish Parliament in November 2021, according to our international obligations we all have a right to food but, despite this, Scotland’s dependence on food banks and other sources of free food is growing, with historical health problems due to deficiencies of vitamins and minerals in our diet on the increase, as is obesity.

It is much cheaper and easier to access food that is high in sugar and fat than to access a healthy diet which may be more expensive.

The ensuing health problems increase health inequalities. Like the Trussell Trust, and the majority of people polled, food banks should not be needed in a 21st century Scotland.

This Scottish Government needs to do more to solve the root causes of poverty and I call on them to back my private member’s bill.

Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands MSP.