Excited to see our (w/ @hlambiemumford) paper on food bank usage in children is again one of the most downloaded papers in @RGS_IBG's Area Journal (free here https://rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/area.12233). Let's contextualise the paper's findings in today's #COVID19 Britain (1/11)

When we published our paper back in 2015, we showed that the @TrussellTrust served emergency food parcels to 302,594 children in England and Wales (2013/14). Their most recent estimates place this at over half a million today. (2/11)

These three day food parcels are for people and families in crisis. What happens in a time when all of society is faced by a crisis? (3/11)

During the lockdown, food banks have been allowed to remain open as an essential service. While preventing hunger is a core priority, there has been still been disruption. (4/11)

Many amazing volunteers are aged over 70+ who have been asked to self-isolate. Many others of all ages opt to socially distance. Some building owners have asked to close sites. Others continue with social distancing measures in place, but with fewer opening slots. (5/11)

Fewer public donation opportunities, coupled with the frenzy of panic buying could have placed strains on food supply. These, at least, have been helped by additional external public and private support in donating funds and resources. We all value food banks highly. (6/11)

Panic buying, supermarket queueing and online orders place new burdens on people who are socially disadvantaged or time poor (as many essential workers with children are). The need to pay up front for online food orders disrupts current food purchasing habits for many. (7/11)

With the emerging economic impact of Covid-19 hitting many families hard, we expect to see increased demand for emergency food provision and hunger. This will only widen social inequalities further and will have longer term consequences. (8/11)

Many isolated adults may not have support networks to supply them food. When you are being asked to not leave your home to protect your health, but have no family or friends to shop for you or access to the internet to order deliveries - what do you do? (9/11)

Food and hunger are complex issues during Covid-19 without simple solutions. It is easy to forget these problems when faced with a pandemic. (10/11)

I would like to end this thread by thanking all of the people involved in tackling hunger including the many food bank organisations such as @TrussellTrust. Also thanks to @_EDearden who is helping to coordinate food responses in Greater Manchester and worth following. (1/11)