Lived Experiences and Coping Practices of Those Living in Food Poverty: A Qualitative Study from Greater Manchester, UK

Abstract

For more than a decade, food poverty has become a serious, growing public health problem in the UK. The aim of this qualitative inquiry was to explore the lived experiences and coping practices of those living in food poverty. Forty-two semi-structured interviews with struggling householders were conducted at food banks, food pantries and community centres in Greater Manchester. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Study participants described severe economic hardship and food poverty experiences. Many reported difficulties in paying for basic essentials such as housing, utilities, and food, as well as spiralling debts, along with fear and anxiety over their financial situation. Whilst, the depth and severity of food poverty experiences varied amongst participants, many reported eating less food than they should, and in some cases, frequent hunger and going entire days without food was described. To lessen the effects of money and food shortfalls, participants relied on multiple food, financial and help seeking strategies such as, resourceful shopping practices, extreme food budgeting, eating fewer meals, juggling bills, borrowing food and money, and going to food banks and pantries. Despite employing multiple, and often concurrent coping practices many participants experienced severe levels of food poverty putting them at high risk of becoming malnourished. By sharing the lived experiences of those living with food poverty and experiencing hunger, this research advances food poverty knowledge and informs policy and practice aimed at alleviating food poverty and modern-day malnutrition.