UK food insecurity: the impact of rising costs on healthy eating

As rising food prices make healthy eating harder, we share practical ways to eat well on a budget.

Food insecurity has become a growing topic of concern over recent years. Driven by poverty, high food prices, climate change, and conflict, a lack of consistent access to enough nutritious food can affect us both physically and mentally. That ongoing uncertainty can lead to people eating things that aren’t as nutritious or good for them, as well as having low to no access to food for periods of time. 

According to the latest figures, rising numbers of families in the UK are struggling to afford healthy, nutritious food. The Food Foundation’s Food Insecurity Tracking data shows that at least 8.5 million adults and children are now affected by food insecurity in the UK.

The latest figures highlight the scale of the issue. Around 15% of households with children are experiencing food insecurity. That’s equivalent to around one in nine households, and closer to one in seven among families with children. This is an increase from previous data, showing that food insecurity in the UK is continuing to rise alongside the cost of living crisis.

While data around food bank use in the UK shows an overall decrease in the number of emergency food parcels distributed in 2025 compared to the previous year (12%), the total number of emergency food parcels distributed across the UK still remains 45% higher than pre-pandemic levels, according to Trussell’s latest report.  

How the cost of living crisis is impacting healthy eating

The cost of living crisis continues to shape what people across the UK are able to eat. As food prices rise, many households are having to make difficult decisions about how to eat healthily on a budget.

Recent data shows that 53% of food-insecure households have cut back on fruit, while 40% have reduced their vegetable intake in the past 30 days. For many, healthy foods are becoming less accessible as food prices continue to remain persistently above overall inflation, with the cost of a basic, nutritionally adequate shopping basket having increased by 33% over the past four years.

The Food Foundation’s Broken Plate 2025 report found that healthier foods are more than twice as expensive per calorie compared to less healthy options. This makes healthy eating on a budget increasingly challenging, particularly for those already under financial pressure.

For households in the most deprived areas, the situation can be even more difficult. Families may need to spend up to 45% of their disposable income to afford a government-recommended healthy diet. That rises to 70% for households with children. 

But why is healthy food becoming so much more expensive and accessible, and what support is being put in place? To understand the bigger picture, it’s important to look at why healthy food is becoming harder to afford and access.

Why healthy food is becoming less affordable and accessible

As food prices continue to rise, many households are feeling the effects alongside wider increases in the cost of living. With more of the household budget going towards essentials like energy and housing, it can become harder to prioritise spending on healthy food.

Affordability is only part of the picture when it comes to food insecurity in the UK. Access to healthy food also plays an important role. A 2025 analysis found that the cost of a healthy food basket was more than double that of less healthy options. This can make it harder for many people to access fresh, nutritious ingredients needed to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. 

Along with the rising cost of healthy foods, low and stagnating incomes can play a significant role for many. The UK economy has experienced economic stagnation since the 2008 financial crisis, with many households seeing little growth in real wages over time. As a result, even small increases in food prices can have a significant impact on what people are able to afford.

For some families, this means making difficult decisions and prioritising lower-cost, filling foods over more nutritious options. Over time, these compromises can make it harder to maintain a balanced diet and support overall health. 

Access to healthy food can also be shaped by where we live. In some areas, there may be fewer shops offering affordable fresh produce. The 2025 Broken Plate Report found that nearly one-third of food outlets in the most deprived areas are fast food outlets, suggesting that accessing healthier options in these areas can be more difficult. 

What is being done to tackle food insecurity in the UK?

There are growing calls for long-term solutions to the UK’s food system. Campaigners and organisations are urging the government to introduce a Good Food Bill, designed to improve access to affordable, nutritious food and strengthen food security. The proposed measures aim to reduce the impact of future cost of living crises while supporting healthier diets and better public health outcomes across the UK. 

While food bank use is expected to decline over the coming years, according to The Trussell Trust, an NGO and charity that supports a network of around 1,700 food banks across the UK, this is thought to be due to the introduction of policies focused on children and child poverty, rather than addressing wider concerns as a whole. 

The continued rollout of breakfast clubs and the expansion of free school meals are both thought to help make a difference. However, Trussell warns that these interventions alone are unlikely to be enough to reverse levels of emergency food parcel distribution back to pre-pandemic levels, as they do not address the full picture of food bank need, such as those who access food banks due to other challenges and faced. 

Disability was the most common factor underpinning food bank use in 2024, with concerns that planned changes to the health element of Universal Credit may mean that people who fall ill may be more likely to experience hardship. 

What to do if you are struggling with food insecurity

If you are finding it difficult to afford food, you are not alone. Support is available. Local food banks and food pantries, community groups and charities can offer immediate help. You may also be able to access support through your local council, including food vouchers, financial support schemes or community meal services. 

Some food banks may need a referral, while others may be available to everyone. It’s best to contact your local food bank or pantry to find out how they work. You can find out more about getting a referral through Citizens Advice, your GP, housing association, or social worker. Your local council may also be able to tell you how to get a referral (though this can vary between areas). You can find out more about how food banks work, what to expect at a food bank, and what’s in an emergency food parcel through the Trussell website. 

For pregnant people and those with children under four, you may be entitled to help buying healthy food and milk with the Healthy Start scheme in England or Best Start Foods in Scotland. This can be used to buy plain liquid cow’s milk; fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and veg; fresh, dried and tinned pulses; and infant formula based on cow’s milk. Those with young children may also be eligible for other schemes, such as free school meals.    

Apps like Olio aim to promote sharing more and wasting less. You can browse free surplus food from local shops and find things that neighbours are giving away for free or at a low cost, including food and toiletries.

If you’re struggling with food costs, checking what financial support you may be entitled to can be a helpful first step. Organisations like Citizens Advice and Turn2Us offer free benefits checks and can help you understand what support is available, including grants, vouchers, or help with energy bills.

If you’re worried about your situation, speaking to your GP, a support worker, or a local advice service can help you understand what support is available. When things feel overwhelming, small steps can make a difference. This might be reaching out to a local service, checking your eligibility for support, or exploring what’s available in your area. You don’t have to do everything at once. Support is there to help you take things one step at a time.

Practical ways to eat healthily on a budget

When money is tight, focusing on healthy eating can feel difficult, and for many, it may not always be possible. If you’re able to, there are some small, flexible steps that may help you make the most of what’s available to you, without adding extra pressure:

• plan meals in advance to reduce food waste and save money
• choose frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables as affordable alternatives (that are often just as good or have even higher nutritional value than some fresh options)
• cook in batches to make meals go further
• compare prices and shop around where possible
• build meals around low-cost, nutritious staples like beans, lentils and whole grains

It’s important to remember that eating well doesn’t have to look perfect. Small changes can still support your well-being, and what matters most is finding what works for you in your current situation. For more support, you can read our guide to eating healthy on a budget.

Supporting your health during the cost of living crisis

Food insecurity can affect more than just what we eat – it can also impact our energy levels, mood and overall well-being. When you’re worried about money or access to food, it’s understandable to feel stressed, anxious or overwhelmed.

If you’re feeling this way, it may help to talk to someone you trust, whether that’s a friend, family member or a support service. You’re not alone in this, and many people are facing similar challenges right now.

If you’re worried about your health, you might find it helpful to speak to a GP or a local support service, who can help you understand what support is available. Even in difficult circumstances, having the right support around you can make things feel a little more manageable.