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Too many British families are hungry!

(552 Posts)
CvD66 Tue 27-Feb-24 13:55:32

According to Food Foundation tracker, 15% of UK households, approx 8m adults and 3m children, experienced food insecurity in January, as food prices continued to hit low-income families. (Today’s Guardian).
The report states that 60% of households bought less fruit and 44% less vegetables. Already the NHS has recorded an increase in hospital admissions for nutrition deficiency. Cancer UK has estimated there are 33,000 extra cases of cancer in UK associated with deprivation.
In contrast to this, the UK has 171 billionaires.
Is this really a country we can be proud of?

MissAdventure Wed 28-Feb-24 16:09:32

Gwyllt

Miss A people should try to take some responsibility for themselves. And yes I do know what I am talking about I was on crutches for about a year. I had an umpteen hand road worthy mobility scooter I was able to get into town and do things for myself.

Good for you.
I need a liver transplant.

MissAdventure Wed 28-Feb-24 16:10:59

And I have nowhere to keep a mobility scooter, as I said.
I live in a little block of flats, with no outbuildings, and no garden.

GrannyGravy13 Wed 28-Feb-24 16:14:00

(((Hugs))) MissAdventure 😘

SeaWoozle Wed 28-Feb-24 16:14:42

MissAdventure

The olio site is awash with people pointing out that it is not a case of the most "deserving" who will necessarily get food.
It is about reducing food waste.

I've never heard it before. Where I worked before we have the Too Good To Go bags, where you could buy items going out of date that day for around a third of the cost. Depending on who put the bags together, we'd usually put extra bits in. But again, it depended on someone having to collect it.

MissAdventure Wed 28-Feb-24 16:18:09

GrannyGravy13

(((Hugs))) MissAdventure 😘

Ah, thank you. smile
I did tell 'em I was ill!
I have the added bonus of an autoimmune disease, which is probably what has given me the cirrhosis and damaged my eyes.

Some lifestyle choice, eh?

Callistemon21 Wed 28-Feb-24 16:18:15

MissAdventure

It's a shame that the information isn't more widespread about community fridges and things like that.
I have no idea if there is one near me, or how donating or using it works.

Anyone can use the one near us as the idea is to help stop food waste. The food is donated by supermarkets or, if someone has a glut of fresh produce, they can donate it.
We haven't used it but a neighbour has. However, when it is open, there is a queue right along the road. They don't deliver either.

SeaWoozle Wed 28-Feb-24 16:18:52

Gwyllt

Miss A people should try to take some responsibility for themselves. And yes I do know what I am talking about I was on crutches for about a year. I had an umpteen hand road worthy mobility scooter I was able to get into town and do things for myself.

If they're able to find a second hand scooter. Still not cheap.

And pay for it.

And have somewhere to store it.

Anything else?

And physically be able to use it. Both ways without falling asleep/ill.

SeaWoozle Wed 28-Feb-24 16:20:30

MissAdventure

Hugest hugs 🤗🤗

MissAdventure Wed 28-Feb-24 16:20:50

I can't stand for too long! grin
It does sound as if I'm finding excuses for every single thing, but there we are, that is my reality, and for people with agoraphobia or the like, I dread to think how they access these services.

SeaWoozle Wed 28-Feb-24 16:25:34

MissAdventure

I can't stand for too long! grin
It does sound as if I'm finding excuses for every single thing, but there we are, that is my reality, and for people with agoraphobia or the like, I dread to think how they access these services.

I've said this to others.....

"You don't have to explain your situation to justify the curiosity, ignorance and whataboutery of others"

It's nobody's business and how dare anyone question the validity of your abilities/disabilities.

🤗🤗

growstuff Wed 28-Feb-24 16:30:13

Gwyllt

What people say they eat and what they actually eat are two very different things
As a newly qualified dietitian many many years ago I was naive and believed what people told me they ate I am not just talking the overweight. I worked with expectant mums, diabetics and those that diet was part of their treatment. Apparently the majority had a fair idea of a balanced diet And said that’s what they eat. I had to adjust my approach fairly smartly I came to realise I was told what they thought I wanted to hear. for many it really does depend on who is asking the questions

That's why I refuse to see a dietician. I'm diabetic and I know I eat well, but I got fed up with "know-it-alls" who thought I was lying.

AGAA4 Wed 28-Feb-24 16:30:30

Mobility scooter would be no use at all where I live as there are few pavements between my flat and town. I would have to scoot along the road and take my chances with the cars and lorries doing 50 mph in places.
Also you would have to feel well enough to use one. I don't have storage for a mobility scooter either.

growstuff Wed 28-Feb-24 16:31:08

MissAdventure

However long it has been since I first got ill (2 years?) I can only just now walk for 15 minutes on a good day, with a walking frame.
My last good day was about two weeks ago.

Does your GP know this? Presumably, yes. Is there anything he/she can recommend?

growstuff Wed 28-Feb-24 16:33:06

SeaWoozle

MissAdventure

Hugest hugs 🤗🤗

And flowers from me.

MissAdventure Wed 28-Feb-24 16:34:56

Well, not really.
I see a consultant, (a few actually)
I just get incredibly tired.
I know some days are non starters as far as getting around.

MissAdventure Wed 28-Feb-24 16:37:51

Ah thank you.
I didnt want to start a pity party, just hoped that people can see that it isnt even necessarily about money, this food uncertainty, or whatever word they use.

Cossy Wed 28-Feb-24 16:40:04

MissAdventure

Gwyllt
Miss A people should try to take some responsibility for themselves. And yes I do know what I am talking about I was on crutches for about a year. I had an umpteen hand road worthy mobility scooter I was able to get into town and do things for myself.
Good for you.
I need a liver transplant.

To simply state people should take responsibility for themselves, is as bad as victim shaming. Some of us ARE able to help ourselves, many more are not! For goodness sake stop judging and have some empathy. Just because YOU are able to help yourself doesn’t mean others are too!

Cossy Wed 28-Feb-24 16:41:03

growstuff

SeaWoozle
MissAdventure

Hugest hugs 🤗🤗
And flowers from me.

And from me also. Having empathy isn’t a “pity party” flowers

Callistemon21 Wed 28-Feb-24 16:41:25

It's an aspect which many haven't considered MissAdventure.

If your GP could give you a recommendation to the Food Bank, I'm sure some of them will deliver to those who are housebound.

SeaWoozle Wed 28-Feb-24 16:41:36

MissAdventure

Ah thank you.
I didnt want to start a pity party, just hoped that people can see that it isnt even necessarily about money, this food uncertainty, or whatever word they use.

Not at all. See above, above post!

Some of us can see quite clearly...... 🤗

MissAdventure Wed 28-Feb-24 16:42:57

Ooh, some of you are lovely old sticks. smile

growstuff Wed 28-Feb-24 16:44:39

MissAdventure

Ooh, some of you are lovely old sticks. smile

Oi! What's with the "old"? I don't feel that old anyway wink.

MissAdventure Wed 28-Feb-24 16:44:47

Callistemon21

It's an aspect which many haven't considered MissAdventure.

If your GP could give you a recommendation to the Food Bank, I'm sure some of them will deliver to those who are housebound.

I really don't need to use the food bank, Cally.
I do have enough to manage on, thankfully.

Cossy Wed 28-Feb-24 16:48:49

growstuff

Cossy The place I use stresses that it's not a foodbank. It's surplus, which would end up in landfill. Of course, most of the people who use it are "counting their pennies", but the emphasis is on getting people together and doing something for the community - hence, the free tea and coffee (and cake, but I don't eat it). I don't feel the slightest bit patronised.

I’m not dissing it in the least and I think reducing food waste is just as important as ensuring everyone has access to food. I just get so frustrated at some of our OPs who give the impression that it’s people’s faults that their lives are so horrific, sometimes it is down to poor choices, but often it’s because families and single people go through awful catastrophes, mental breakdowns, physical conditions, bereavements, loss of jobs, marital breakdowns. We’re not all men and women if steel who just soldier in regardless!

I just wonder what happened to empathy and compassion as it seems sorely lacking in some quarters ☹️☹️

Cossy Wed 28-Feb-24 16:51:41

Sorry should read “men and women of steel” “soldier on”