A recent survey revealed one-in-four borough residents had gone without eating for at least a day because they could not afford or access food
Barking and Dagenham Council has been awarded more than £200,000 to help tackle food insecurity and poverty across the borough.
The funding is part of the wider ‘Good Food Neighbourhoods’ programme launched by the government, with £10million being invested in 45 communities across England to improve access to healthy and affordable food.
Each participating local authority is being given £222,000 to develop solutions that respond to local needs.
A recent council cost-of-living survey found that around one-in-four residents had gone without eating for at least a day because they could not afford or access food.
The council will use the funding to build on the borough’s Good Food Plan with community and voluntary sector partners to improve access to affordable, healthy food, and support residents with practical help around menus and food budgeting.
It also provide an opportunity to expand and strengthen community food projects and initiatives in the borough, helping more residents access good food while supporting longer-term action to tackle the underlying causes of food insecurity and poverty.
The council is supporting the hub by providing a council-owned warehouse and helping coordinate the organisations involved.
Deputy council leader Saima Ashraf said: “No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and paying their bills. Sadly, we know that for too many people in our borough, this is the reality.
“That is why this funding is so important. It will help us build on the work we are already doing with our community partners to make sure residents can access good, affordable food, while also looking at longer-term ways we can tackle poverty and food insecurity.”
The news follows the recent launch of the Big Heart Food Hub, a new food redistribution centre in Barking bringing together charities and community organisations to redistribute surplus food to foodbanks and other organisations supporting residents experiencing hardship.
Cllr Ashraf added: “The recent launch of the Big Heart Food Hub is a great example of what we can achieve when the council, charities and community organisations come together. This funding gives us another opportunity to build on our work and reach even more people who need support.”
Dagenham and Rainham MP Margaret Mullane also welcomed the cash. She said: “This initiative forms part of the Labour government’s promise of helping to give families room to breathe on the cost of living and communities the power to decide what works for them.
“Food insecurity remains a significant challenge for so many families. In 2024/25, around six million people lived in food-insecure households. The burden falls disproportionately on families with children, disabled people and those on low incomes.
“I know from listening to local people that this will help and I look forward to seeing how this will be put in place across the borough.”
