Action plan to tackle food poverty due 2026

A survey of foodbank users in North East Lincolnshire has been carried out

An action plan to tackle food poverty is to be put together in North East Lincolnshire.

The idea was first proposed by the council in March 2023 but has faced delays so the plan will not be produced until early 2026.

Councillor Nicola Aisthorpe said the wait was "three years in which people continue to face hardship".

The council has produced a 36-page food poverty assessment report to shape the action plan, which was discussed by councillors at a recent meeting.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the report included a survey of 112 users of We Are One Foodbank and We Are One Food Pantry in Grimsby.

Approximately two-thirds of respondents said they or someone in their household had a physical or mental health condition and rented from a housing association, the council, or a private landlord.

"Rising cost of essentials" and "lack of income" were given as reasons for attending the food bank and pantry.

The report included information from Connect NEL who issue food vouchers and help refer individuals to food banks. Their data between January 2024 and January 2025 showed the East Marsh, West Marsh and South wards had the highest referral rates.

Councillors at the latest Communities Scrutiny Panel meeting discussed how they can help residents access healthy food.

Suggestions included the introduction of mobile shops, accessible to those who worked during the day, to help people who were unable to get to cheaper food outlets.

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