EXPLORING SOME ALTERNATIVES TO TACKLING FOOD POVERTY Sharon Polson Policy and Innovation, Voluntary and Community Division Department for Communities

The context for our very specific work Stormont House Agreement Welfare Reform Mitigation strategy recommended £501m for measures within three strands – the provision of supplementary payments to claimants impacted by Welfare Reform, additional independent advice specifically to support claimants through the changes and measures to alleviate hardship on the introduction of Universal Credit that include improving claimants’ financial capability Included within the Report is a recommendation aimed at tackling food poverty. The overall aim of this recommendation is to improve access to food through a network of community food shops and social stores/supermarkets.

SOCIAL SUPERMARKET CONCEPT No single model of social supermarket but tend to have the following characteristics: Sell surplus or imperfect but consumable stock from supermarkets/ suppliers. Produce is sold at a significant discount but not given away. Accessible only by those at risk or below a defined poverty threshold. Either provide or link to additional services e.g. advice, training, budgeting, food skills Key benefit is the potential it offers to provide people with a route out of poverty as opposed to short term emergency intervention

FOOD POVERTY – some key considerations There is no definition of food poverty in Northern Ireland. There are undoubtedly more variables contributing to food poverty than not having enough to eat. Food poverty is a symptom of wider poverty and disadvantage – tackling broader food “insecurity” will require long term solutions – addressing the underlying causes of food poverty and hunger. The link with the issues within social security delivery that may be creating/exacerbating food poverty issues.

Some early learning Range of resources, expertise and stakeholders pertaining to food poverty in NI Collaborative action to address poverty and inequality is key to successful delivery The role of the community, connections with other community activities Involve people experiencing food poverty Emergency food aid is not a long term or sustainable solution to food poverty Invest in more sustainable, longer term and more life enriching solutions to food poverty A coherent funding strategy and long term investment An evidence base

So a step back-- Scoping and concept Feasibility Background and context Mapping of current actions Consultations Benchmarking Research analysis and scoping next steps Development of pilot options

NEXT STEPS – some merging principles May have a variety of models – don’t need to jump to a one off solution Principles options to be tested against: Adding value Accessible Sustainable Outcome focused Option variables: Locations/collaborations Activity Duration Operating models Benefit testing against the following: Improved linkage and collaborative actions Sustainable projects emerging Pathways/personal development