Closer to home
When the food budget runs out: food insecurity in the UK
A full supermarket does not mean every household can afford dinner. Food insecurity is about having dependable access to enough food, not simply whether food is available nearby.
By VervTrip · Sources checked · 4 minute read
9%
of UK households had low or very low food security
DWP survey, April 2024–March 2025: 4% low plus 5% very low. Rounded household estimates, not a count of individuals.
2.6m+
emergency food parcels distributed by the Trussell community
January–December 2025. Parcels, not unique people; independent food providers are not included.
Trussell: emergency food parcel statistics, January–December 2025
What those numbers can, and cannot, tell us
The DWP survey describes household circumstances. Trussell records food parcels distributed within its community. They answer different questions: how secure is a household’s access to food, and how much emergency support was provided? Neither should be presented as a count of everyone going hungry.
Trussell switched its official reporting to the calendar year for 2025. Comparing that total with an older April-to-March headline would mix periods. One person may also receive support more than once. The latest parcel total therefore does not mean 2.6 million different people. Trussell: emergency food parcel statistics, January–December 2025
The difficult decisions behind a shopping list
Think about planning a week’s meals when the amount left after essential bills is uncertain. Buying a smaller pack may cost more per portion, but a larger one still needs money today. A food box also needs to fit the household: dietary needs, cooking equipment and somewhere to store it all matter.
Every household’s circumstances are different. Asking for food can be a difficult step, and finding a clear route to support should not make it harder. If this feels familiar, our guide to getting support starts with where to turn, not a booking link.
More than a bag of groceries
Emergency food can help with an immediate gap. Trussell also describes advice support and referrals that address wider financial difficulties. Food banks in its community use a voucher system; local organisations can help people access one. Arrangements elsewhere may differ, so contact the provider before travelling. Trussell: how food banks work
A parcel is valuable, but it is not a substitute for being able to afford food independently. We think both parts deserve attention: support today and fewer people needing emergency help tomorrow.
Where Stay & Give fits
VervTrip’s Stay & Give commitment is a fixed contribution from every completed booking towards UK food banks, funded by us. It is a modest part we can aim to play, not a claim that booking a trip solves poverty.
For the wider picture, read why hunger persists worldwide. For something you can do locally without travelling, see how to support a food bank.
A couple of common questions
Does 2.6 million food parcels mean 2.6 million people?
No. Trussell counts parcels, including repeat support, and its figures do not include every independent food provider. The figure covers January to December 2025.
Is food insecurity the same as using a food bank?
No. Household food security and food bank use are different measures. Someone can struggle to afford food without using a food bank.
Sources & further reading
Checked 13 November 2026. Statistics describe the periods stated, not a live total. External organisations are cited for information, not as announced VervTrip partners.
- DWP: Family Resources Survey, April 2024–March 2025
- Trussell: emergency food parcel statistics, January–December 2025
- Trussell: how food banks work
Spotted something that needs updating? Let us know.
