Mums in Coventry under pressure to feed their family healthy food as food poverty rises
St Giles Food Bank in Coventry have seen a rise in mums seeking help with nowhere else to turn
Parents across Coventry fear that food poverty is only going to get worse in upcoming months as many struggle to provide their children with healthy food.
Mums and dads in Coventry and Warwickshire are struggling with the rise of family costs including nappies, baby clothes and balanced meals for their children. To keep on top of the soaring weekly food shop costs, some parents have even reported skipping meals or reducing what they eat so they can provide for their children.
This comes as today the Labour Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, is to address the Government with the Spring Statement. The statement will reveal the governments current spending against their previous objectives given at the Autumn Budget, last October.
In Coventry, many parents fear that food prices will continue to soar leaving many families with no where to turn for support.
31-year-old Ellie Bright, from Coventry, is one of those parents. Ellie turned to St Giles Food Pantry after her family struggled to cope with rising costs.
Ellie said: "Everything is so expensive and we are struggling to afford everyday things. We started buying the cheapest items at supermarkets but it really was making no difference.
"That's when I turned to the St Giles Food Pantry and now we have everything we need to to make healthy meals. Normally fresh fruit and vegetables is out of our price range but now I can provide healthy and nutritional meals for my children around £3 a week."
It's not just Ellie who finds herself struggling with daily food prices; many mums in Coventry and Warwickshire are also feeling the same.
Ellie said: "Lots of other mums at the playgroups I attend or Facebook groups I am on are constantly asking others for support. Many are constantly saying they are struggling or are asking other mums where they can get items for a cheaper price.
"I was initially worried to access support from food banks like St Giles when I found myself in financial difficulty. I was worried about the judgement and the stigma but actually I was welcomed to the foodbank with and I am now fully supported which has given me and my family hope for the future."