Before the Hunger Challenge

Tomorrow, Tuesday 11th to Thursday 13th, I will be taking part in Team v’s Hunger Challenge as part of the campaign ‘Beyond a tin of food’ #Beyondfood. Over the next few days I will be blogging about my experiences, what shocks me the most, what I have eaten and the impact, if any, this has on me.

I have purchased and will be eating the contents of a three day emergency food parcel which typically includes:

•  1 packet of pasta
• 1 jar of pasta sauce
• 1 tin of beans
• 2 tins of stew or similar
• 1 tin of meatballs
• 2 tins of soup/1 packet of cup-soups
• 1 small box of tea bags
• 1 packet of cereal
• 2 rice puddings or tins of fruit
• 1 large or 2 small tins of potatoes
• 2 tins of vegetables
• 1 carton of UHT milk
• 1 packet of biscuits
• Plus toothpaste, shampoo and soap

Although this may appear to be a lot of food, people experiencing poverty will often have very little in their cupboards. It is unlikely they will have salt, pepper or any other seasonings to add to their food, making their meals bland.

What shocked me the most when I started this campaign was that anyone could find themselves in the situation of needing to rely on a Foodbank for an emergency food parcel.

A major factor contributing to the increase in food poverty over the last few years, is that people’s incomes are staying the same, whilsts living costs including food, fuel and energy costs are all going up. According to the Below the Breadline report, published in June 2014, more than half a million children in the UK are now living in families who are unable to provide a minimally acceptable diet.

Team v Leaders nationally are collecting and donating food to local foodbanks. For more information about how you can be involved or where your local leader is based please contact me on evie.hibbitt@vinspired.com