Food Banks are now big business

Last year, a study found the use of food banks in the UK reached its highest rate on record.

According to the Trussell Trust a reduction in the value of welfare benefits is one of the primary reasons for the surge. Feeding America has the biggest network of food banks in the United States. Every year, It supplies food to more than 37-million people. This includes 14-million children and 3-million seniors.

The charity warns that 34-percent of the households it serves have had to choose between paying for food or paying for medical care. It has been reported that big food co-operations are benefiting from food banks.

The poor are reportedly being fed left over food that can no longer be sold. Analysts say this is especially the case in the United States. The trend is however shifting to the United Kingdom. The government has introduced an initiative to support an expansion in the redistribution of surplus-food.

Critics say the UK is subsidizing big businesses to waste food products. In return the food is redistributed in a way that benefits their business image. Critics argue that industries behind food banks are in essence encouraging food waste.

Analysts claim the US government keeps food prices high to benefit some industries, which makes the poorer sector of society more reliant on food banks.


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