The Impacts of COVID-19 on Food Security: Emergency Food Systems (Food Banks) and Policy Responses

Abstract

The pandemic exacerbated food insecurity amongst the vulnerable groups and those who lost employment were faced with the stark reality of access to food and hunger. Many who previously did not need food aid joined food bank queues for the first time in their thousands. This went hand in hand with increasing poverty and marginalisation. In Africa alone, it is estimated that up to 20 million people were pushed below the poverty line. For many the fear of hunger was just as devastating as the fear of the pandemic. In many parts of the world, panic buying, stockpiling and hording by those who can afford to, has seen empty shelves in supermarkets which has consequently, caused food insecurity amongst vulnerable groups. It is estimated that in the UK, more than three million people (6%) had someone in their household go hungry at some point during the lockdown. Food banks had increased demand from those on no or low income, the elderly, disabled people, rough sleepers, asylum seekers and migrants. A similar situation has been unfolding in many other countries around the world, which saw leaders of the major international networks for food banks such as the European Food Banks Federation (FEBA), Feeding America (FA) and the Global FoodBanking Network (GFN), calling for urgent action to help the critical work of food banks in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This chapter examines the responses towards food insecurity, focusing on the role of food banks as a social protection mechanism. While food banks maybe a temporary measure, it does provide an immediate response to people’s wellbeing as they rehabilitate themselves and look for other opportunities. For the unskilled and marginal groups and individuals, food banks have become part of their daily survival culture. Recommendation to improve food banks are provided. Holistic solutions and best practices are required; governments to support a diversity of food and social protection initiatives, reducing food insecurity by promoting food resilience and respecting food sovereignty.