European parents increasingly turning to charities for meals, survey reveals

19 Oct 2017 --- A new survey commissioned by Kellogg, has revealed that families are struggling to afford a balanced and healthy diet, and are increasingly reliant on Breakfast Clubs, foodbanks and charities, especially during school holidays. 

According to the research, 15 percent of people across Europe disagree with the statement that fresh fruit and vegetables are affordable and easy to access where they live, while nearly a quarter (23 percent) disagreed with the same statement about fresh meat or fish. The research also found that while families felt they understood the importance of a healthy balanced diet, food costs and availability were forcing them to make less nutritious choices.

The research sampled over 8,000 people, which included over 2,500 parents of children 18 and under across France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

In France, 41 percent of families felt they struggled to afford the types of food they want their family to eat, while in Germany, 35 percent of people admitted they want their families to eat healthily, but they can't afford to. This rose to 36 percent in Italy, 38 percent in Spain and 48 percent in France.

“The message from families across Europe is that parents know how they want to feed their children, but food costs are leaving many families facing a barrier to healthy and balanced Nutrition. This is having an impact on the nutritional health of children and their parents, many of whom are facing impossible choices,” Gráinne O'Brien, Director of External Communications at Kellogg Europe, comments.

“This is illustrated by the fact that between 13 percent of parents in France, Germany, Italy and Spain said they had skipped a meal in order to be able to feed their children, especially during school holidays. It is for this reason we help families in need through our Breakfasts for Better Days program,” O’Brien adds.

With parents struggling to feed their families, the research also highlighted the extent to which families in Europe are relying on external support. Six percent of people said that they receive food at least once a week from charities and NGOs, yet this figure increased by a large amount during school holidays.

In fact, 39 percent of parents in Spain and in Germany said they relied on these external organizations more during holidays compared to term time. In France, the figure was 34 percent, with Italian parents relying on charities, NGOs and others for food more often at 41 percent.

“The research from Kellogg is mirrored in what our member food banks are telling us. We are seeing an increase in demand for food - particularly fresh fruit and vegetables, and for this, we rely on largely on companies to think about food banks before they dispose of edible foods. As well as much needed food and provisions; many of our members are starting to look at providing support and advice on how to have a healthy balanced diet,” adds Carolina Diaz-Lonborg, Communications Consultant, European Federation of Food Banks (FEBA).

The survey was conducted as part of World Food Day (16 October). The theme for this year’s event was based on in investing in food security from people from a variety of backgrounds which should serve to remind people that there is a lot more to do in the battle against hunger both in developed and developing countries. As part of the Breakfasts for Better Days program, Kellogg's has already provided more than 1.9billion servings of food to people in need globally, and has pledged to provide a further 2.5 billion by 2025, the company reports.