Young People Struggling to Access Healthy Food: Why High Prices Aren’t the Only Barrier
Young People Struggling to Access Healthy Food: Why High Prices Aren’t the Only Barrier
Young people today are facing significant challenges when it comes to accessing healthy food, particularly due to economic factors. Recent research reveals that the high cost of nutritious food is a major barrier, especially for young parents. Many are forced to skip meals to ensure their children have enough to eat, highlighting a growing crisis in food insecurity among the younger population.
The Impact of High Prices and Food Access
A study by Barnardo’s and the Co-op found that one in four secondary and college-aged students struggles to access healthy food in their community. More than one-third of respondents mentioned that their households have struggled or are currently struggling to afford food.
Kyson, a 21-year-old who has been homeless since the age of 18, shared his experience: “I’ve struggled with food access since becoming homeless, but hearing 13-year-olds talking about it was eye-opening.”
The research also indicates that young adults aged 16 to 24 who have moved out and started their own families are particularly vulnerable. Two out of ten young households are classified as “food insecure,” a figure double that of the general population.
Other Barriers Beyond Price
Price isn’t the only obstacle preventing young people from accessing healthy food. A lack of local food stores, limited product availability, and societal stigma toward young people also play significant roles in this struggle.
Four out of five Co-op members aged 16 to 25 admitted to skipping meals due to financial reasons. One young parent shared, “As a young adult with a child, I’ve had to skip so many meals just to ensure my daughter is fed.”
Calls for Change: What Needs to Be Done?
Barnardo’s and Co-op are urging authorities to extend retail discount schemes to young people, form local food partnerships, and address holiday hunger when government-funded meal programs end next March.
Lynn Perry, CEO of Barnardo’s, stated, “Too many young people are not getting the food they need when they need it. We know change is necessary for families to afford healthy meals and ensure children are well-fed in schools. However, our research also shows that much more needs to be done in communities.”
Perry called on policymakers, local authorities, and businesses to take urgent action to ensure no child goes hungry and that everyone gets the necessary nutrients to grow and thrive.
Inequality in Access to Healthy Foods
Additional research by The Food Foundation shows that lower-income families face substantial barriers to accessing healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The data revealed that purchasing the lowest-priced fruits and vegetables could consume 34-52% of a person’s weekly food budget, compared to just 17-26% for wealthier families.
More concerning is that some of the lowest-priced fruits and vegetables contain added salt and sugar, making them unsuitable for low-income families trying to maintain a healthy diet.
The Role of Retailers and Government in Closing the Food Inequality Gap
The Food Foundation calls on both government and retailers to take an active role in reducing food inequality. Random spot checks in 30 UK stores showed that only 60% of them stocked five of the ten cheapest fruit and vegetable items. Moreover, the availability of whole grains in local convenience stores was significantly lower.
Rebecca Tobi, Senior Business and Investor Engagement Manager at The Food Foundation, emphasized the need to adjust minimum wage levels and benefits to reflect the cost of a healthy diet. She also urged retailers to ensure competitively priced healthy essentials are available across all categories, in all store locations, including local express stores.
Conclusion
The issue of young people, particularly low-income families, struggling to access healthy food is a pressing challenge that requires immediate attention. Collaboration between government, retailers, and communities is essential to ensure that every child and family has access to a nutritious and affordable diet.
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Reference artikel :
1.https://bit.ly/3XXPxth
2.https://www.newfoodmagazine.com/news/225382/low-income-parents-struggle-to-afford-healthy-foods-research-shows/
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