Three quarters of food banks have seen an increase in demand, according to a new survey from FareShare.
Out of the 1,200 charities that took part in the survey, 90% said their work is being impacted by the cost of living crisis.
Inflation is a major factor pushing consumers towards food banks, with 64% of users stating that higher food prices was their reason for visiting, while 52% said rising energy bills were also a factor.
As a result, FareShare has launched a campaign to secure more donations from across the food industry to try to keep up with demand.
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“A year to eighteen months ago we were sending out 1,500 trays of food a week, now it’s 3,000,” FareShare’s Kent distribution hub shift manager Emma White told The BBC.
“I think that number could double again over the coming months.”
“It might be a homeless refuge, it might be a school breakfast club or a food bank. We’re serving all areas of the UK in different communities.”
FareShare estimates it helps feed more than a million people in the UK every week.
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