The Cultural and Economic Dimensions of Food Poverty

Abstract

Here we set out the background to food bank usage and how households often draw on other resources before using food banks. We use the concept of a consensual, culturally acceptable food basket and compare this cost to a typical food parcel provided by a food bank. In this way, we attempt to put a social cost on the provision of emergency food aid. This is done by drawing on existing research from food pricing in Northern Ireland, one of the most deprived areas in the UK. This is compared to what has been called a consensual food basket which is based in everyday expectations of what is appropriate. All this is compared to spending in food across different income groups.