It’s something no one expects to face, yet more and more families across the UK are struggling to put meals on the table. With food, energy and everyday costs rising faster than incomes, even households that were coping a year ago may now be falling behind.
If you’ve found yourself skipping meals, buying less, or relying on cheaper, less nutritious options just to get by, you’re not alone. This guide is here to offer support, practical next steps and clear information without blame or judgment.
Why feeding your family has become harder
The cost of living has climbed significantly in recent years. According to the House of Commons Library, food prices increased by more than 30% between 2021 and 2024, and energy bills remain high. Many households have also faced cuts to benefits, stagnant wages, or increased rent and debt repayments.
If you’re finding it difficult to buy enough or feel like you can’t afford healthy food, it’s likely because of rising costs and stretched household budgets, not because you’ve done anything wrong.
These pressures are forcing people to make impossible choices: heating or eating, paying rent or buying food. No family should have to choose between essentials.
Who’s affected – and why it’s more common than you think
Food insecurity is affecting people in work, parents, carers, students and pensioners. In 2024, research from The Food Foundation showed that one in five UK households with children were living with food insecurity. That means millions are regularly eating less, skipping meals, or relying on help to get by.
Some of the most common reasons include:
- Benefit delays or changes to Universal Credit
- Unexpected costs like car repairs or rent increases
- Job loss, reduced hours or insecure contracts
- Rising debt repayments that reduce leftover income
- The need to support extended family or dependants
You are not alone and you’re not to blame.
What help is available right now
If you can’t afford food in the UK, there is support available, even if you’re unsure how to ask. Start with these options:
- Food banks
Most are run by the Trussell Trust or independent charities. You’ll usually need a referral, which you can get from Citizens Advice, your GP, school, housing officer or local support agency. Food banks can provide emergency parcels with 3-7 days of food.
- Community fridges or food pantries
These offer free or low-cost food, often rescued from going to waste. Some don’t require a referral and may be open to everyone.
- Healthy Start
If you’re pregnant or have children under 4 and receive certain benefits, you may qualify for Healthy Start vouchers to buy milk, fruit, vegetables and formula.
- Free school meals
If your household receives certain benefits, you may be eligible. Apply through your local authority.
- Council support schemes
Local authorities can offer emergency help through welfare assistance or household support funds.
How to access local food support
Finding the right support can feel overwhelming when you’re already struggling. Here’s how to make it easier:
- Use online search tools like the Trussell Trust’s food bank locator
- Request a food bank referral from your local Citizens Advice
- Visit your council’s website and search for ‘emergency food support’ or ‘welfare assistance’
- Speak to your child’s school, health visitor, or GP – they can often help discreetly.
If you’ve never used a food bank before, it’s okay to feel uncertain. But these services are there to help, and the staff understand what you’re going through.
Budgeting when food is unaffordable
When you can’t afford food, it’s a sign that your overall budget is under too much strain. Start by looking at your monthly income and essential outgoings. If more money is going out than coming in, something needs to change.
Use this simple checklist:
- List your income from all sources (wages, benefits, maintenance)
- List essential costs: housing, energy, food, transport
- See what’s left – or what’s missing
- Identify payments that can be reduced, paused or negotiated.
Our disposable income calculator can help you to work this out.
If you’re spending more on debt repayments than you are on groceries, it may be time to look at other options. Saying ‘I can’t afford food’ can feel like hitting rock bottom but it’s often a sign that something deeper needs attention, and help is available.
What to do when food problems link to debt
Many people who can’t afford food are also dealing with unmanageable debt and the pressure of trying to keep up with repayments can leave nothing left for groceries.
If creditors, bills or expenses are making it impossible to afford food, remember this: feeding your family isn’t optional. It’s an essential need. And when you speak to a debt adviser, that’s the starting point – your basic needs come first.
A debt adviser can offer advice and support on financial planning and discuss debt solutions available to you.
There is no shame in needing help
Whether it’s a food parcel, a Healthy Start voucher, or financial advice – reaching out is a responsible, courageous step. Everyone needs help sometimes, especially when the cost of living keeps rising.
If you’ve read this far, you’ve already taken a step. Take the next one by seeking advice. You can get free, impartial debt advice from MoneyHelper.
Or, get in touch with us. At MoneyPlus, we offer confidential, non-judgmental advice to help you find a manageable budget that works for you. We won’t judge, criticise or tell you to just ‘cut back’ – we’ll work with you to find a way forward.
