Honiton: The rising cost of living is pushing local families into poverty

The cost-of-living crisis is forcing some people in Honiton to choose between heating their home or feeding their children.

With inflation set to peak at 8% in April, energy and petrol price souring to new highs and an increase in National Insurance, families across the UK are experiencing the biggest real term loss of spending power since the 1970s.

According to a report by the Resolution Foundation, the war in Ukraine is going to have a sustained impact on the price of oil and food products which we buy in the UK. The price of most food items has gone up in the last few months, with cooking oil, bread, pasta and meat all seeing the highest increases.

Nub News has spoken to three organisations in Honiton that provide free food to local people.

Vegbank is a stall containing locally grown food which people can help themselves to. Foodsave is a charity that distributes supermarket food to people and organisations, and finally the King's Food Bank is a service that provides non-perishable food and other items to individuals who have been referred to their service.

Cllr Jake Bonetta is the founder of Foodsave. He told Nub News that Foodsave is increasingly worried about the growing financial pressures on families who were usually able to buy food without the use of foodbanks.

"Foodsave is particularly worried about the effects this [the rising cost of food, energy and fuel] will have on mostly middle-income families. With food supplies starting to dry up slowly due to price rises and worries about the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, we are particularly worried about the reality that more families will be coming forward needing help.

"Historically financially secure households may be forced to reach out for help, which is a large part of the challenge that community groups will face in trying to get help to the places it needs to go."

King's Food Bank have expressed similar concerns. Teresa Pollard told Nub News: "We have definitely started to see the cost of living affecting individuals/families that haven't previously used the food bank. I have recently spoken to clients that are having to make a choice between paying for electricity or buying food.

"It is a very worrying time for everyone, but especially those that are already on or below the breadline."

VegBank echoed the concerns, telling Nub News: "We have had an increase in the number of new users for the Vegbank.

"We are getting more working families and shop workers. Some of the supermarket staff are using our services. It must be very difficult for them not to be able to afford the items in the shops they work in.

"When the fuel price rises happen in April, the situation will be beyond extreme."

It is not just food that people are struggling to afford to buy. This week, King's Food Bank took toothpaste, deodorant and other hygiene products to Honiton Community College as there are pupils there who do not have access to them at home.

Many families hesitate to reach out to local services that could support them during this difficult time.

A number of educationalists have told Nub News that local organisations and groups need to find a better way to reach out to the families that are too embarrassed to ask for help, either from schools, advice centres or from foodbanks.

Both Cllr Bonetta and Teresa urged families or individuals who are struggling to forward for help and support.

Teresa said: "The food bank has been very well supported by the community of Honiton, so we have plenty of food to distribute to those struggling financially."

Cllr Bonetta added: "What I would say, from the bottom of my heart to everyone who finds themselves at any level of need over the coming months, is that we are here to help out without stigma or questions asked."

[H2] Where can I find help and advice? [H2]

More information on King's Food Bank is available here.

Food can be ordered on certain evenings each week from Foodsave here.

Fresh fruit and vegetables are available from Vegbank, which is a stall placed outside 30 Queen Street. Small donations are welcomed but they are not obligatory.

On Saturday 2 April Honiton Town Council is hosting Yes 1 , an information session to help people reduce their energy bills or apply for grants to help pay for home improvements.