Food poverty - a situation where individuals struggle to regularly afford or access nutritious food - is prevalent in both rural and urban areas of Ireland. Despite its widespread nature, it is rarely discussed openly, as revealed in a recent survey focused on these disadvantaged communities.

A report by the Department of Social Protection and Amarach Research, titled “The Prevalence of Food Poverty in Ireland,” shows that many people are struggling to cope with the rising cost of living. Strikingly, nearly half of those surveyed did not know where to seek help. 

Although the term "food poverty" is not commonly used within the community, people often discuss the actions they are taking to get by. These include changing shopping habits, reducing dining out or takeaways, and generally cutting back. The report highlights that a significant minority of families are at breaking point, making access to support services crucial for their well-being. 

At FoodCloud, our community partners relay similar stories to us regularly. Food is often one of the first areas to be cut when budgets are tight. People prioritise paying bills and then live off what remains, which may result in purchasing less food or opting for cheaper, less healthy options. This, in turn, can negatively impact the health and well-being of their families. 

Community groups are emergency first responders at the cold face of this growing issue in their communities. However at the same time they themselves are stretched, struggling not only to finance and maintain their services but also to meet the growing demand for their services. A survey of FoodCloud’s community partners in July 2024 reported that 69% of groups have seen an increase in the number of people seeking food services in the past six months. While this is a slight reduction from 75% at the same time in 2023, the need remains high.

The underlying issues these community groups face are often complex and interwoven. Similar to the findings in “The Prevalence of Food Poverty in Ireland” report, FoodCloud’s community partners have expressed a need for additional support, including educational opportunities. In  response to this need, FoodCloud is expanding its efforts beyond food redistribution, working to help community groups to build and maintain sustainable food supports using surplus food.  The Thrive Together Project, a capacity building education initiative run through FoodCloud Academy, offers a series of free webinars and workshops that bring people together to learn from each other and to share knowledge on successful community projects. 

Thrive Together’s next webinar focused on "Empowerment," will take place on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. We encourage interested individuals to participate and learn from these inspiring journeys. Tickets are still available and can be reserved here.