The short film titled ‘They Know We Are Here’ sheds light on the reality faced by families struggling to put food on the table during the cost of living crisis. It features a mother from Solihull called Melissa who skips meals to ensure that her children can eat.
The film also features GP Dr Ewan Hamnett who highlights that unhealthy food is cheaper than healthy food, meaning those with limited income have no choice but to eat diets which will damage their health in the long term, leading to significantly increased costs for the NHS.
‘They Know We Are Here’, which was funded by the Nuffield Foundation, will be shown in parliament at a House of Commons event today held by The Food Foundation and Which?, sponsored by MP Paulette Hamilton and MP Peter Aldous as well as being hosted by the BBC Radio 4 Food Programme’s Sheila Dillon.
Chef Tom Kerridge said: “This powerful film captures the daily struggle that millions of households are dealing with, and it's a disturbing reality to confront. It seems impossible that in the sixth biggest economy in the world, so many parents are unable to afford the most basic essentials for their children and are skipping meals themselves.
“All children should have enough nutritious food so they can grow and learn. I hope the Government takes this film seriously, and responds with measures to effectively tackle the cost of living crisis so everyone in the UK has access to a healthier diet."
The Food Foundation is calling on the Government to:
- Expand and strengthen nutritional safety net schemes including Free School Meals and Healthy Start
- Decide which Government department is responsible for tackling escalating levels of food insecurity and nominate a Minister to lead on addressing the problem
- Encourage retailers to pay the Real Living Wage, making it easier for people to afford the food they need
- Ensure that minimum wage and benefit levels are set at values that take into account what is required for families to afford a healthy diet