New Film Highlights Impact of Food Poverty
A school food charity is calling on the Government to listen to the people and adopt the recommendations of the National Food Strategy to end child food poverty. The charity, Chefs in Schools - which improves child health by transforming school food - is releasing a short film, called Tinned Pears, to highlight the impact of food poverty.
The film release comes amid mounting public pressure for reform. Over 320,000 people have now signed a petition, started by the footballer Marcus Rashford MBE, urging the Government to expand free school meals, provide food and activities during school holidays and to bolster and increase the value of the Healthy Start scheme.
If implemented, the changes would minimise child food insecurity, address inequalities, reduce childhood obesity and improve children’s academic performance.
Tinned Pears is a short drama based on the testimonies of parents and children who are missing meals - it aims to provide insight into the reality of food security. Viewers are encouraged to share the shorter campaign film on social media, along with the hashtag #EndChildFoodPoverty - to show their support for much-needed reforms.
Naomi Duncan, Chief Executive at Chefs in Schools, said: “Child food poverty is sadly not a new problem but it has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Food insecurity has long lasting implications for children in terms of health and social mobility. We’re calling on the Government to listen to those who’ve signed the petition and commit to ending child food poverty now. Please help to raise awareness by sharing the film.”
During lockdown, Chefs in Schools set up a series of kitchen hubs, staffed by volunteers, which made and delivered meals to families at risk of going hungry. The charity also provided store cupboard essentials. The charity still provides support to a number of families and wants to see lasting change.
Tinned Pears was directed by Libby Burke Wilde - who volunteered with Chefs in Schools during lockdown. Libby said: “We felt that a short film made up of true stories that we had read and learned first-hand was the key to getting people to connect with what is a point of national shame. No child should be going hungry, but they are. All over the UK. In 2020.
“A lot of people don’t know that food poverty is so prevalent in the UK. I hope that this film is, at the very least, an eye opener to people, a conversation starter. I hope that this film shines a light on the work that charities like Chefs in Schools are doing and moves people to action.”
To support the #EndChildFoodPoverty campaign and watch the full film - visit: www.chefsinschools.org.uk/end-child-food-poverty.
