UK food banks provided more than two million parcels in past year

More than two million food parcels were handed out by food banks across the UK last year.

That's according to the charity, the Trussell Trust, which runs about two-thirds of the country's food banks.

It says the need for emergency food has dramatically increased in the past six months.

The new figures come as the cost of living crisis continues with the price of things like food and electricity going up.

What are food banks?

Food banks are a bit like supermarkets, but everything is free. They are for people who struggle to afford to buy enough food to eat.

The products available in food banks consist of basic items that people need to live, most of which are given to the charities by members of the public.

It's not just food available, though. Other essential items like toilet paper and soap are also available.

The 2022 figure of 2.1 million parcels handed out represents a 14% increase compared to the same period in 2019/20 - with more than 830,000 parcels provided to children alone.

While rising bills due to inflation continue to put pressure on families across the country, the Trussell Trust says its network expects the need for emergency food to rise further still over the next few months.

It also warned that parents are sometimes having to skip meals, turn off appliances and go without heating to afford the internet so their children can do their homework.

"No one's income should fall so dangerously low that they cannot afford to stay fed, warm and dry," said Emma Revie, Chief Executive of the Trussell Trust.

A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "We recognise the pressures on the cost of living and we are doing what we can to help, including spending £22 billion across the next financial year to support people with energy bills and cut fuel duty."