More families relying on food banks in coronavirus crisis

Emergency food hub Credit: ITV Meridian

Some food banks and community kitchens have told ITV Meridian they've seen a tenfold increase in demand for meals and essential supplies since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis.

The East Brighton Food Co-op says it has been overwhelmed with requests for hot meals.

  • See the full report by Tom Savvides.

The number of children using foodbanks has increased by 122% and the wave of coronavirus panic buying left supply chains "cut off at the knees", MPs have been told.

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust charity, told theEnvironment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee that Covid-19 hadan "instantaneous and profound" impact on the number of people usingfoodbanks.

The New Forest Basics Bank Credit: ITV Meridian

Lindsay Boswell, CEO of FareShare, a charity aimed at relieving food poverty, said: "Initially with the dramatic increase in consumer demand and clearing of shelves and stocking that went on, our supply chain was cut off at the knees. The supermarkets, although they reacted incredibly quickly, had to divert all their attention and focus into just trying to find whatever supply they could."