In the last couple of years, Britain has been facing a serious food crisis.
More and more Brits are being left with no option but to cut back on the quality of food they consume and look into cheaper options, which are mainly unhealthy, ultra-processed foods. There is an urgent need to find solutions to the most significant issue, which is healthy food affordability.
Majority of Brits cannot afford health food
Four in five (80%) Brits think healthy food is something that everyone should be able to have, yet only 8% believe it is affordable to most people.
The majority of Brits, 68%, say it's the Government's duty to ensure that healthy food is available and affordable for everyone despite increasing financial pressures and a worsening food industry.
Nearly half of the recent poll participants (49%) stated that financial pressures have made them reduce the quality of food they used to eat.
Healthy food as basic right for fair society
When asked about basic rights that are essential for a fair society, 80% of Brits ranked access to 'healthy food' as vital – second only after healthcare – and well above 'home ownership' (52%), an issue traditionally prioritised.
Measures needed to make healthy food affordable
The research also reflects a worsening food environment in the UK, where over 11m nationwide experience food insecurity. The problem is more common in low-income areas, with over 1 million people living in 'food deserts' where affordable, fresh food and wholefood is not available.
These are the results of the new poll commissioned by the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC) published last month.
The new polling was commissioned in partnership with non-profit research organisation More in Common, which reveals the stark reality of Britain's food crisis: healthy food is now seen as out of reach for the majority.
Food crisis conversation
The FFCC launched an unprecedented food conversation across the nation, bringing together thousands of citizens for workshops and talks designed to find solutions to the crisis.
The workshops will take place across the UK, including remote areas bringing together a representative group of citizens to learn what people want from food and how they want to see things change in food availability and its affordability. The participants will discuss how we grow, make and eat food.
Sue Pritchard, CEO of the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission said: "Of all the elements of our everyday economy, one of the things we simply cannot manage without is healthy food. How did this basic necessity become a luxury that few can afford? Food is at the centre of some of the biggest challenges this country faces and for many people, eating enough healthy food is becoming impossible. A smart and strategic government will prioritise action across the whole food chain, from farm to fork. And what we're hearing from citizens is that this would be a real vote winner.
For starters, people tell us they are concerned about the inequalities of a system that means poor children will live shorter lives than rich ones. They are sympathetic to the challenges facing family farmers who are dealing with the impacts of climate change on their businesses. And they are worried about an NHS buckling under the pressure of diet-related ill health.
'While difficult – this is all fixable. And as we talk to people all around the UK, it's clear that citizens see the problem and want the Government to take control of a situation that has become untenable."
The latest poll took place at the first citizen workshop for The Food Conversation, which brought a representative sample of citizens from across the UK together to discuss food crisis in the country.
A majority of participants support government actions to fix Britain's food system, including helping the farmers and reducing access to ultra processed foods.
Majority of participants (62%) want greater intervention to ensure farmers are treated fairly. And more than a half ( 60%) want greater intervention to protect children from unhealthy and ultra processed foods.
