The rise of food charity: issues and challenges

As the effects of austerity, stagnating incomes and rising costs of living have begun to be felt, reports indicate that increasing numbers of people in countries across the Global North are finding it harder to feed themselves and their families. At the same time, there has been a rise in charitable initiatives that help people with food. These phenomena raise urgent questions about our social, economic and food systems and what just responses look like. This article examines these issues, with special reference to the UK. It argues that geographers are well placed to contribute urgently needed research in order to inform more progressive policy responses.