Blog | IFAN

Charlotte White

1 hour ago

"Worrying About Money?" this Winter

As yet another tough winter sets in, it can be a disheartening time of year for food bank staff and volunteers. There are few signs of...

Reclaiming Dignity in Food Support: Addressing the Hidden Cost of Hunger

Carl Walker, Jane Perry, Ronald Ranta & Stef Lake

3 days ago

Reclaiming Dignity in Food Support: Addressing the Hidden Cost of Hunger

How the Alliance for Dignified Food Support is Challenging Stigma, Empowering Communities, and Promoting a Compassionate Approach to Food...

The food bank paradox and how to balance objectives: a case study

Charlotte White

Sep 11

The food bank paradox and how to balance objectives: a case study

One of the most difficult things about running a food bank is the unpredictability. Making sure everything gets done every week with so...

Putting cash first into practice while running a food bank

Sabine Goodwin & Charlotte White

May 1

Putting cash first into practice while running a food bank

Charlotte White, IFAN’s Member Support Officer and former Earlsfield Foodbank manager, shares her ideas on putting cash first into...

Money Counts training in London - Using the ‘Worrying About Money?’ leaflet in London’s local authorities

Abby Preston & Emma Österberg

Apr 17

Money Counts training in London - Using the ‘Worrying About Money?’ leaflet in London’s local authorities

The Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN) represents nearly 150 charitable food aid providers operating across 21 London boroughs....

Is there a future for crisis support in England?

Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN), End Furniture Poverty, Cash Perks and Greater Manchester Poverty Action (GMPA)

Feb 8

Is there a future for crisis support in England?

Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN), End Furniture Poverty, Cash Perks and Greater Manchester Poverty Action (GMPA) At the start of our...

Sabine Goodwin

Dec 20, 2023

Appealing for change

Glossing over the causes of poverty might elicit donations but there’s a harsh reality to be faced By Sabine Goodwin, Director of the...

Julie Podet

Nov 15, 2023

A day in the life of a CAB manager

Written by a Julie Podet, Manager of Dalkeith Citizens Advice Bureau, for the Independent Food Aid Network The phone at the Citizens...

Andrew Hurrell

Sep 4, 2023

We cannot go on like this

Written by Andy Hurrell, Ardwick and Longsight Foodbank as the food bank closed its doors for the month of August In what feels like a...

Under one roof: Finding ways to improve availability and access to financial support in Cornwall

IFAN, the Trussell Trust, Transformation Cornwall and Cornwall Council

Jun 6, 2023

Under one roof: Finding ways to improve availability and access to financial support in Cornwall

As poverty levels continue to soar across the UK, it’s more important than ever that local collaboration can bring much needed ‘cash...

Sabine Goodwin

Jun 5, 2023

IFAN's statement on Cash-First: Towards Ending the Need for Food Banks in Scotland

Food bank use and severe food insecurity are continuing to rise at unprecedented rates across the UK. The Scottish Government can reduce...

A cash first approach to food insecurity isn’t simply a dream, it’s becoming a reality

Sabine Goodwin & Polly Jones

May 11, 2023

A cash first approach to food insecurity isn’t simply a dream, it’s becoming a reality

As food insecurity soars in Scotland, the First Minister’s anti-poverty summit must lead to immediate, comprehensive Scottish Government...

Turning the tide: Cash First and the Right to Food

Sabine Goodwin & Maria Marshall

May 11, 2023

Turning the tide: Cash First and the Right to Food

Charitable food aid organisations across the country find themselves in an impossible situation. As demand for food aid has soared over...

Desiree Ashton, Uttlesford Foodbank

Apr 11, 2023

Starting a cash first journey

Lessons from co-developing Uttlesford's 'Worrying About Money?' leaflet The scale of poverty can be obvious in some areas while...

IFAN Blog

Oct 15, 2022

Our joint letter to the Prime Minister

This letter was delivered to 10 Downing Street by representatives of the Trussell Trust, Feeding Britain and the Independent Food Aid...

Using a collective local voice to call for change

Sophie Padgett

Jul 5, 2022

Using a collective local voice to call for change

There’s lots of change we can effect at a local level. Communities and local organisations know their area well, they understand the...

Charlotte White

Jun 16, 2022

What’s the cost of doing nothing?

"People often talk about the cost of these support measures. But what’s the cost of doing nothing?" After representing IFAN at a fringe...

Pushed to the Edge: Poverty, Food Banks and Mental Health

IFAN Blog

Mar 1, 2022

Pushed to the Edge: Poverty, Food Banks and Mental Health

A new report exploring the impact of poverty and food bank use on people's mental health. Written by Tom Pollard and co-produced with the...

Kate Brewster

Feb 22, 2022

We fear the worst is yet to come

Kate Brewster of the One Can Trust in Buckinghamshire When I became a trustee at the One Can Trust food bank in Buckinghamshire just over...

IFAN's Response: Ending the need for food banks as a primary response to food insecurity

IFAN Blog

Jan 26, 2022

IFAN's Response: Ending the need for food banks as a primary response to food insecurity

IFAN's response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the draft national plan for ending the need for food banks as a primary...