5,800 people a week seek food help in Brighton & Hove – New Report

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Brighton & Hove Food Partnership

Since 2014, BHFP has coordinated an annual survey of the support needs and impact of food banks and community food projects across Brighton and Hove.

This year, our annual report finds that over 5,800 people need food support each week, with more than half seeking ongoing support. While a small decline on last year, this is still 14% higher than in 2022 and significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. People continue to rely on this help because of the costs of living, low income, debt, benefits and health issues. Food projects are supporting people with increasingly complex needs.

There has been a shift in the proportion of people being supported by different types of food service, with diversification away from food parcels to models that offer more choice and longer-term support. Many now also offer wrap-around support and advice services.

Our case studies illuminate the human stories behind the numbers, showing how food projects are spaces of positive change. We highlight a new food bank for the LGBTQ+ community, how food bank clients are becoming campaigners at a Trussell affiliated food bank, and the importance of inclusive volunteering at a social supermarket. For the over 650 volunteers involved, the rewards can be great. But the pressures of meeting high levels of need with limited food supply and funding stretches their capacity to keep going.

Key Survey stats 2025

50 organisations offer food support from at least 60 locations across Brighton & Hove

650+ volunteers give 128,400 hours a year.
1/3 of leaders are unpaid volunteers.

In one week:
Over 5,800 people are supported
27% of those are children.
14% of those are pensioners.

810 food parcels provided
470 affordable shops collected
120 food vouchers given
135 people received a delivered meal
1840 people ate in shared meal spaces

Projects spend £14K on food. That’s £700K per year.

Read the full report or the report summary.

What’s needed now

Nationally:

We continue to campaign for wages and benefit levels to prevent poverty, and for meals on wheels to be a statutory service.
For recognition and support for those volunteering at food projects.
For a new scheme whereby supermarkets forgo their profit margins when selling to food projects by giving them discount cards.

Locally:

Support with drivers, premises and donations.
Participation in the Food SOS Campaign.
BHCC & Health commissioning and funding to focus on the prevention of malnutrition and diet related ill health.
BHCC to continue support via parking permits for projects delivering food to vulnerable residents.
Decisions on how the Crisis and Resilience Fund is allocated to recognise the reach and added value that community food projects provide, and invest in ways that support partnership work.