Food Banks and Food Justice in ‘Austerity Britain ’

Abstract

‘Twenty years’ after documenting poverty and hunger in the United Kingdom and the inadequacy of the state’s response (Craig and Dowler, 1997) we find an astonishing and previously unimaginable situation unfolding in the UK. Growing number of households are apparently having to use emergency ‘food aid’ systems, largely from the charitable sector, and increasingly this practice is not only recognized by the state at national and local levels, it is also being endorsed, enshrined and encouraged. How has such a situation arisen, especially following years of economic prosperity and government attempts to address low-income and diet problems, and to reduce inequalities in health (which is where food and nutrition initiatives have largely been located)?