After months of living with Covid-19, it is already easy to forget the uncertainties, anxieties and fears of Spring 2020, as relied-on routines, social connections, and stabilities evaporated. For many, food offered a source of small comforts, nourishment, and stability amidst profound uncertainty.

For the people represented in this research experiences were very different. Food was a continual source of concern and worry rather than nourishment or security. Birthdays with no birthday cake; day after day of peas on toast; freezers full of bread but nothing else; worsening health and mental health. Many quickly cut calorie intake and reduced the quality of food eaten — with far-reaching physical and emotional impacts. Many children went without.

This post presents a few key findings from our research on food insecurity with the Food Standards Agency during Spring/Summer 2020. The FSA has made our full report available for public use, including 4 case studies (summary images included below) that show the complexity of how food insecurity experiences. We hope they will be helpful for those supporting people in need.

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