Children's Future Food Inquiry - What young people Say About food - Food Foundation
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Children’s Future
Food Inquiry
What young people Say About food
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CHILDREN’S FUTURE
FOOD INQUIRY
CONTENTS
04 Foreword
05 Executive Summary
06 Introduction
07 Methods
08 Education
16 Health
22 Media
26 Conclusion
28 References
CHILDREN’S FUTURE FOOD INQUIRY 3
Foreword Executive Summary
Over 300 young people across the They are also calling for families
country have come together to have to support each other with the
their voices heard on how poverty purchasing and preparation of food,
affects what they eat. and be more open about hunger
issues so they can be dealt with
The school aged children took part before they become serious.
in workshops across the UK to
discuss their understanding and Finally, the young people want more
experience of food insecurity and responsibility and accountability in
food poverty and to gather their regards to how food is advertised
ideas for solutions to create a stable and presented on television and
future food situation for others. across social media, to prevent
unrealistic expectations.
Young people we spoke to want
Corey speaking about food poverty on her local radio station
schools to consider price, portion This report has been created from
size and cultural and dietary authentic young voices and is an
requirements in the meals they offer, accurate representation of modern
Taking part in the Children’s Future I didn’t realise I was experiencing and provide a dedicated hunger views on hunger, experiences of
Food Inquiry has allowed me to talk food poverty, to me not having teacher to deal with food poverty food and food poverty. They ask
about my own personal experiences enough food is my normal. But issues. that you use their findings and help
of food poverty, having my voice then I started to notice my friends them bring about change.
heard made me feel empowered as had money to spend on food and I
it’s not often people listen. didn’t.
Most young people don’t have to I want to challenge the stigma
do anything at home and many get around food poverty and encourage
the luxurious life; but not for me. My others to have conversations about
mum has got a disability, she suffers it. I feel I have the power to make
from epilepsy which means she changes not only in my local area
cannot go near a hot pan as she but nationally.
may burn herself if she suddenly
has a fit. It means I’m constantly It’s not right young people go
cleaning and looking after my hungry, or can’t access or afford the
younger brothers who are nine and food they like or want. By speaking
twelve. I cook for them most days out we can change this, after all
and I have a friend who does most nothing is more powerful than
of the food shopping for me. hearing a story from a mouth that
has experienced hunger.
Sometimes when there isn’t enough
food to eat I invite my friends round
so they can buy me ‘scran’.
Corey McPartland, 15,
from Darwen
4 CHILDREN’S FUTURE FOOD INQUIRY 5
Introduction Methods
It is clear there is growing concern Fixers is a national charity working A team of trained ‘Young Person general, what they thought it
about the impact poverty has on with marginalised and vulnerable Coordinators’ travelled across the meant and what they believed the
the diets, health, development and young people who have confronted four nations holding workshops with solutions to be. The conversations
wellbeing of children. Yet, until now, a major issue in their lives and, school children from disadvantaged were skilfully guided on to school
the children’s own experiences and consequently, want to share their backgrounds. The aim of these and their experiences of food there.
perspectives have been largely experience in order to help others workshops was to find out more The young people were asked to
absent from policy thinking. in a similar predicament, breaking about how young people experience recall times they or their friends
down barriers of isolation to counter food at home, in school and in the had been hungry at school; discuss
This work has been conducted as a sense of helplessness, defying the media. the factors surrounding this and
part of a Parliamentary Inquiry into popular perception their voices have consider the solutions.
Children’s Future Food. It has the little or no value. In total, 13 workshops were
support of a cross party group of 14 conducted with over 300 school- The workshops also included
parliamentarians and two All Party The Children’s Future Food Inquiry aged children aged between 11 conversations about how food
Parliamentary Groups. will report it’s conclusions and and 16. Many of the young people affects home life and relationships
recommendations later this year. We involved came from deprived with friends and family as well as
The Food Foundation, which is hope it will drive significant action to backgrounds and were entitled to how it is portrayed in the media.
coordinating the delivery of this improve children’s food across the free school meals.
inquiry, commissioned Fixers to UK. Key themes and findings from these
consult with children across the To begin with the young people workshops were analysed and
UK. This report is the result of that were asked to discuss their presented in this voice-led report.
consultation. thoughts on food insecurity in
WORKSHOP
LOCATIONS
1. Edinburgh, Scotland 1
2. Byker, Newcastle Upon Tyne
3. Portadown, Northern Ireland
4. Barrow-in-Furness 2
5. Darwen 3
6. Doncaster 4
7. Prestatyn
5
8. Leicester 6
7
9. Leicester
10. Ham, London
11. Radstock 8
12. Exeter 9
13. Woking
10
11 12
13
6 CHILDREN’S FUTURE FOOD INQUIRY 7
A recent academic study looked into on the achievement of young people
whether there was any direct link in schools and concluded ‘students
EDUCATION
between the nutritional quality of at schools that contract with a
food and the academic achievement healthy school-meal vendor score
of students. The results highlighted higher on achievement tests.’1
the beneficial effects of meal quality
Given the amount of time young On top of this, the £2.30 young
people spend in education it is only people on free school meals get for
natural they feel strongly about the the day often doesn’t cover a hot
provision of food at school. meal.
For many pupils, their daily reality ‘Sometimes if you feel hungry
is arriving at school having had it can make you feel sick and
nothing to eat and no money in their you can pass out in lessons. PE
pockets to buy a snack at break is particularly difficult if you are
time. They spend the entire morning hungry.’
unable to concentrate in class,
counting down the hours to their ‘If you don’t eat enough at lunch it
free school meal. But even this is
fraught with complications. Children
makes you tired, it messes with your
brain as you can’t reach your full
Value for money
have reported long queues in the potential as you’ve not been fed.’
school canteen which means they As well as questioning the quality ‘Water is £1.60 to buy.’
don’t have time to eat before the ‘If you were on free school dinners of the food, students said what
next class. Frequently the schools and the prices kept going up there they got was never worth what they ‘I worked out that in my first few
run out of food before everyone has would be less you could get for your had paid, and portion sizes weren’t weeks of secondary school I was
eaten, forcing children to go back money. You could get a panini but adequate enough to sustain a child spending £25-£30 per week on
into the classroom on an empty it wasn’t enough to keep you full for the rest of the day. school dinners.’
stomach with no energy to learn. during the school day.’
On top of this, the financial limit Exacerbating the issue is the
placed on students receiving free continually changing prices at
Quality of food school meals do not allow you to
get a full meal; often students say
school. There is no security in the
price of meals, and schools often
they could buy hot food, but could change the cost of meals without
The young people we spoke to all about their frustrations at the poor not afford a drink with it or a snack any warning. The pupils have no say
had a strong sense of what foods quality of food on offer at school. at break time. Pupils also spoke in these decisions, and it is hard to
were good for you and what foods about access to water fountains budget food when the prices are
were bad. They all understood the They are calling for schools to up being restricted during lunchtime. subject to change.
importance to their long-term health their game and deliver healthy, This, coupled with their frequent
of eating a healthy, balanced diet, nutritious meals within budget. vandalism, meant some went ‘When I was in Year 7 it was £1.50
and discussed the long-term health without drinks while others were for a baguette but they kept putting
implications of eating foods high in ‘At school food is crap. It’s just fat in forced to spend unnecessarily. the prices up. By the time I left
fats and salt. the bacon bun – no bacon. School baguettes were up to £2.30.’
food is not healthy.’ ‘You need about £5/£6 for a full
Yet what they are offered at school meal: main, side, drink and dessert.’ ‘The prices go up year on year.’
is frequently all the foods they are ‘Food at school is unhealthy, it’s just
told are bad for them. Time and like cardboard.’ A 2018 report from Hampshire County Council2 evaluated the increase in
time again, the young people talked school dinner prices per year, revealing that the cost of free school meals
rose from £2.10 in 2015 to £2.30 as of September 2018.
8 CHILDREN’S FUTURE FOOD INQUIRY 9
Awkward payment options
Aside from the price of the food, the in situations where the top-up
young people we spoke to detailed machines are broken.
occasional issues with school
payment methods. Most students A lot of pupils reported that their
said their school did not allow pupils schools impose limits on these
to pay for food with cash, instead accounts, so students can only
relying on electronic systems such spend a certain amount of money
as cards or fingerprint scanners in a day. These limits usually stand
which require topping up in order for at around £5, and if people are
pupils to get food. hungry but have already spent their
daily limit, they cannot get any more
It’s widely acknowledged this food.
system has gone some way to
reducing the stigma associated with ‘All our food is paid for on a card, no
being a beneficiary of free school cash. You can forget your pin, or the
meals. But, when the money on machine you use to add money can
A dedicated hunger teacher
these accounts runs out, children break down; there’s a huge queue
would like to be able to use cash, to add money, then a huge queue
so they can buy food while they to get food, and you only have 20
wait for their parents to top up their minutes for lunch sometimes.’
accounts. It would also be helpful ‘Nobody is ensuring everyone has so it’s hard to track how people eat,
something to eat.’ and if they are eating enough or
eating the right foods.’
Young people we spoke to felt
schools did not hold anyone Some students did say teachers
responsible for issues relating to had helped them in the past, by
food. Children are coming to school lending them money or buying
without breakfast, no money for them lunch when they didn’t have
snacks, and if they are on free anything to eat, but it wasn’t
school meals, the money they something they wanted to rely on. In
receive will not cover enough food general, they indicated they would
for them to feel satisfied. feel more comfortable speaking to a
friend than a teacher about hunger
While most schools do offer certain issues.
support systems, such as the
opportunity for students to borrow They suggested the presence of
money from the school office if a dedicated hunger teacher who
they do not have enough for lunch, was there to deal with these issues
children have highlighted how would make it easier to talk about
difficult it can be to approach adults hunger problems. Also, by placing
about food issues for fear of being a staff member in the dining room,
judged. it would give the school a better
understanding of which pupils
‘When we were in primary school, were struggling with food issues
we were monitored. At secondary and allow them to implement more
school there isn’t any monitoring, effective ways of dealing with
problems in future.
10 CHILDREN’S FUTURE FOOD INQUIRY 11
Pride Different rules for everyone
‘People don’t always even apply When discussing times where they Children also said it was difficult for Also, what the teachers eat is
for free school meals even though had struggled with food issues adults to understand food poverty often different to what is offered
they’d be entitled to them. It’s about themselves, pupils revealed in most issues when the same rules don’t to the students, which pupils say
people’s pride.’ cases, they would sooner ask a apply to both pupils and staff. is frustrating, creating a sense of
friend for help than ask a teacher inequality that is unnecessary. They
The children emphasised how the or borrow money from the office, Students highlighted how the expressed a desire for the food to
stigma surrounding food poverty and most said they had lent money teachers don’t have to wait in line be the same for everyone.
prevents them from seeking help. to those in need. In some cases, at dinner and often don’t pay for
They felt if schools made more of an children can feel so embarrassed their food, meaning they don’t need ‘Some dinner-ladies cook the
effort to educate pupils about food about asking for help they to worry about what they eat at teachers different meals or save
poverty and food banks, people sometimes just don’t eat, to avoid lunchtimes. them food.’
would feel less ashamed about having to admit they don’t have any
approaching adults for help if they money for lunch.
have no food. More understanding
on the issue would also reduce
schoolyard bullying stemming
‘Sometimes you don’t have
enough to buy much food. It can Limited lunch breaks
from ignorance around those in be embarrassing if you have to ask
less fortunate circumstances, and them (school staff) to take money
generally make life at school easier. out next time there’s money on the Long queues and limited lunch ‘Sometimes year groups don’t eat
card.’ breaks often mean students can because there is nothing left for
struggle to get lunch in enough them. There needs to be more food
time, occasionally leading to pupils and there needs to be longer lunch
missing lunch altogether and being breaks.’
irritable and unable to concentrate
for the rest of the day. This problem is made worse for
those students who are put in
‘The queues at lunchtime are too detention, as they often do not get a
long at school. You wait half your chance to get anything to eat before
lunch break to get food and by the classes begin again. Students
time you get to the front there is no feel there is no consideration
choice left.’ that lunchtimes are necessary for
student wellbeing and that missing
The effect waiting in queues has on lunch effects concentration for the
food availability is another reason rest of the day; especially if children
pupils want teachers to be subject hadn’t eaten breakfast as well.
to the same rules. Staff members
jumping queues means there is ‘If you’re put in isolation for a day
less choice for the students who or a week, you’re not allowed in
have to wait to eat, and the group the canteen at all. You can take a
want the staff to be aware of how packed lunch, but there sometimes
their own habits at lunch time affect isn’t any food at home to make
the students. Another issue is in one.’
schools where different year groups
have different dinner times, those
eating later are often left with little or
no food choice.
12 CHILDREN’S FUTURE FOOD INQUIRY 13
Food in lessons Dietary and cultural requirements
School days follow rigid timetables, The rules on what foods can be At school, it is generally a case ‘You do get a choice, but I don’t
and in general students are not consumed and when the students of ‘you get what you’re given.’ like quite a lot. I’ve spoken to the
given much flexibility in how they are allowed to eat them can be quite The young people we spoke principal about the food not being
organise their days until they reach stringent, with different schools to raised frustrations about not cooked properly. He says they’re
GCSE level and beyond. This can enforcing different rules. However, being consulted on the menu or working on it, which means nothing
be problematic when it comes to most children reported not being price of food. It is something they is going to change.’
food, as children are told they can able to eat any food in lessons, and desperately want to change in order
only eat at certain times, regardless those that could were only allowed to ensure they are getting meals More effort needs to be made on
of their situation. to eat fruit. The same rules applied at school that are nutritious and behalf of teaching staff to recognise
to liquids, with most pupils being satisfying. cultural practices such as fasting.
At an age where pupils are required to ask a teacher before Religious students have a right to
continually growing, the wait until being allowed to have a drink, which ‘They should ask us what we eat in accordance with their beliefs
dinner time can be a long time to in most cases had to be water and actually want to eat at school, not during festivals such as Ramadan,
go without food. This is especially nothing else. just give us what they think.’ and some students explained
apparent for those who expend a the effect not eating can have
lot of energy from breakfast walking As a result, a lot of children say They also feel no provisions are on concentration and academic
or cycling to school, or for those they ignore the rules and eat food made for those with particular performance is not always
who skipped breakfast altogether. anyway, simply because they are eating requirements, whether these recognised.
The students we spoke to largely hungry and cannot wait until the are down to preference, health
resented that snacking in lessons is allotted meal times. or culture. For example, Muslim ‘I feel sorry for people who are
prohibited. students have highlighted how there fasting; you see people who are
‘We’re not allowed to eat in class – I isn’t always a Halal option provided fasting passing out. Some get
‘We’re not prisoners; we shouldn’t do anyway.’ at school, and what vegetarian excused from PE while others don’t.
have set times for meals.’ options are available are very Some get yelled at. The teachers
limited. need to understand.’
Highlights
• For schools to provide a • To review school dinner prices
dedicated ‘hunger teacher’, who and payment options, to ease the
monitors school dinners and burden on less fortunate students.
finance issues and supervises the
dining hall to better understand • Better quality food, with more
food insecurity issues. choices that consider dietary and
cultural requirements, and more
• For children to be made more support offered to teachers in
aware of hunger issues at school, relation to these issues.
so they better understand the
situations of others, and to reduce
the stigma around asking for help
when eating properly becomes an
issue.
14 CHILDREN’S FUTURE FOOD INQUIRY 15
Food choice down to parents
HEALTH Children are largely reliant on
their parents for food, with adults
‘My mum has set things she likes to
cook, so she cooks whatever she
controlling what food is bought, wants. If you don’t like it then hard
cooked, and consumed by their luck, you either eat it or you don’t,
children. While most students there’s no alternative. She needs to
indicated some cooking ability, change the menu.’
The price of health knowing how to make simple
meals like pasta and baked beans Children are seemingly not
on toast, many admitted they had encouraged by their parents to get
One of the biggest issues raised by expenditure and disposable income no say in what food was bought involved with preparing food in the
the children is that healthy options figures to conclude that ‘26.9% and provided by their parents. house, with it being common for
at school are few and far between, of households would need to As a result, a lot of the children kids to stay at home while their
and are often more expensive than spend more than a quarter of their expressed a dislike for what they parents do a weekly shop.
the unhealthy ones, meaning there household income after housing were served at home, and wished
is no incentive for them to eat costs’ to meet these requirements. what they were given was more
properly. They face the same issues On top of this, it was found only diverse.
of affordability at home. 53% of households in the UK meet
these requirements every week.4 In surveys conducted with young people taking part in the Future Food
In 2016, the government published workshops, children were asked which foods their parents were most likely
its Eatwell guide, which outlines When speaking to pupils from to buy from the supermarket.
the optimum diet for the population different schools across the UK,
to ensure everyone is getting the many expressed awareness that the
right nutrients and maintaining cost of food had an effect on their
Of the 240 respondents...
a balanced lifestyle. It provides diet, and admitted to knowing about
recommendations across five family financial issues regarding
52% 57%
food groups: Fruit and veg, food.
carbohydrates, oils and spreads,
dairy and proteins. ‘My mum gets £60 and my dad
gets £200 through benefit, it’s not
However, the Food Foundation enough money for two weeks. Once
published a report in September you’ve paid the bills there is not
2018 stating the cost of maintaining enough for food.’
3
agreed
said
such a diet would cost an adult on
average £5.99 a day, or £41.93 per ‘If a parent isn’t earning, you’re
week. The report went on to say the going to be fed cheaper foods. The
frozen foods freshly made meals
guidelines were not affordable for
the majority of low income families,
food is more unhealthy; tinned,
instant and frozen foods.’
& ready meals
comparing the cost of following made up the are
majority
the Eatwell guide to household
‘I think a lot of people hide it. They get
of their more
embarrassed about not having money.’ food shop nutritious
16 CHILDREN’S FUTURE FOOD INQUIRY 17
Some reported eating meals they taste awful so I don’t eat them.
Busy lifestyles separately because they did not like
what was being cooked, preparing
I eat on my own.’
something for themselves or just ‘My sister is really picky and I try
A large factor in what food is ‘There is not enough time to make grabbing a quick snack. and eat healthy but if she doesn’t
prepared at home is the work food at home. Lifestyles can mean like something she will refuse to eat.
schedules and personal situations you have to eat on the run or ‘My mum does slimming world and So my mum has to find foods that
of individual families. For parents have ready meals that don’t have she cooks loads of their meals and she likes.’
who work, they don’t always have nutrients in them.’
time to come home and prepare
a large home-cooked meal for
their family. This leaves children in
Many of the students indicated
wanting to learn to cook different
Pressure
the position of having to eat less meals, and for schools to provide
nutritious ready meals or fast food, necessary culinary education, so When asked in workshops whose on them to make sure the family is
or cook meals for themselves due they can begin to prepare a more responsibility it was to provide food, eating. In these cases, they often do
to their parents’ time constraints. In varied diet and be more self- the majority said it was down to the food shopping as well, making
this case, children often eat a lot of sufficient in situations where their their parents to make sure children the responsibility of food in their
the same things, especially if they parents are not present. had the right food to eat, and 62% house completely down to them,
have limited cooking skills. said children should go to parents whether they are prepared for it or
‘It would be helpful if someone first if they had any worries about not.
Hectic days can also affect a showed us how to cook. I can’t their health with regards to food.
parents’ mood, meaning they do cook anything.’ ‘I choose what we eat because
not feel like making anything out of Despite this, a number of the I cook it. I’m my mum’s carer
tiredness or frustration, and this also students indicated that the because she has epilepsy, and if
leads to the consumption of frozen responsibility for the cooking in the she had a fit while cooking she
foods, ready meals, and takeaways. house falls solely on their shoulders, would scald or hurt herself. So I
in some cases preparing food for cook for me and my little brothers,
their whole family because they are but I don’t really know how.’
the only ones willing or able to do it.
‘It’s a big problem if your parents
While this is largely down to the work a lot; then you don’t eat
busy schedules of parents, some properly or at the right times.’
children are full-time carers for their
parents; putting added pressure
Eating as a family
One side effect of busy lifestyles ‘You know how some families bond
is families are less likely to sit and over a meal? If you don’t have that it
eat together, something which the can affect your family life.’
students said was an important
part of family life. They showed a ‘I eat up in my room; my dad goes
desire to sit and socialise with their out to his caravan to eat.’
family as a way to bond with each
other, although some said they ate Mealtimes can also be tricky due
at different times or sat away from to the different tastes of individual
their family, for various reasons. family members. Dislikes, allergies
In some cases, students said and dietary requirements means
they didn’t share a meal at home cooking one meal for all isn’t always
because their families were small, possible, and this can lead to
or because it was just them and a fragmented meals.
single parent, so a big table did not
seem necessary.
18 CHILDREN’S FUTURE FOOD INQUIRY 19Stigma Other forms of support
This responsibility can be a lot for meals compared to their friends, Support doesn’t always have to like crop-growing, fishing comes
young people, and just as students and how this made them feel. come from the council or from with its own equipment costs. Both
admitted to feeling embarrassed charities. The young people we activities also require surplus time.
when talking about food issues at ‘I had chicken and turkey at spoke to suggested more could
school, there were similar sentiment Christmas and it was embarrassing be done closer to home to make Students all agreed families should
about discussing food issues at because my pal had a wee steak sure everyone is eating properly. do more to support each other. A lot
home. pie.’ A selection of students were of young people said they enjoyed
encouraged and supported in going to their grandparents’ house
Many of the children present In cases where they were worried growing their own food with their because they ate a lot better there
expressed concern for someone about food issues, children admitted families, providing a fresh source than they did at home, having
they knew regarding their food to feeling anxious about inviting of food at a fraction of the cost of a more home-cooked and nutritious
situations; citing their friends’ their friends round to eat for fear supermarket. There was a resulting meals. It was largely agreed if family
financial situations or family issues there wouldn’t be enough food. sense of pride amongst those members took more notice of each
as reasons for worrying about them. children who sourced and cooked other’s needs then they could find
‘I’ve heard my friends make up for themselves. However, allotments ways to prevent food poverty issues
Socially, food worries are prevalent excuses about why they can’t join in come with their own costs and before they become more serious.
for young people, due to the way in and invite friends round for their tea. without a garden this isn’t feasible
which children compare themselves They say they’re going out with their for everyone. People also suggested ‘When my brother gets paid he just
to their friends. In every workshop, family or whatever.’ fishing as an option for families buys more tracksuits and jeans and
the children mentioned how their who wanted fresh ingredients but he has loads already. He should
didn’t want to pay shop prices, but help other people out a bit more.’
Food Banks
During the workshops, young
people talked about ways they
However, there was still a lot of
uncertainty about food banks,
Highlights
could help their peers who are with many not knowing where
struggling with food. A common local ones were and how they • More education about food
conversation revolved around food operated. As a result, a popular banks and support services, so
banks, and how those struggling to recommendation was for children families know where they can go
feed their families could go to them to be more educated about food to get staple foods when they are
for staple foods and ingredients. banks and food poverty in general, struggling to feed themselves.
Some said they had family members so they could become aware of the
who had relied on them, while support networks in place. Again, • Openness within families
others said they wanted to volunteer the topic of embarrassment came regarding personal food
at food banks and agreed they up regularly, indicating a stigma situations, so they can better
benefitted those in need of food. surrounding seeking help from support each other and tackle
services like food banks, something food poverty issues before they
‘I would like to work at a food bank which the students want to change. become serious.
because I like helping people. At
Christmas we made boxes with ‘I didn’t know there was a food bank • For the government to be more
meat and food to help the needy.’ near me; I thought it was a shelter.’ understanding of everyday
financial hardships, and to stop
‘I’ve never been to a food bank.’ putting unrealistic pressure on
those who cannot afford to follow
their nutrition guidelines.
20 CHILDREN’S FUTURE FOOD INQUIRY 21MEDIA
Food insecurity is something that However, they also discussed
undoubtedly affects students both how many shows present an
at home and at school, changing unrealistic or unhealthy view of
the way they view their home lives food. Professional cooking shows
and the situations of their friends such as Masterchef, Hell’s Kitchen
and peers. However, these worries and the Great British Bake Off
are amplified further by the way rely on expensive equipment and
food is depicted in their favourite costly ingredients and so do not
media; from the meals they see in reflect how the majority of people
films, to the adverts they see on TV, eat. Shows like Man Vs Food could
to the food they see in channels and encourage over-eating and promote
Adverts
posts on social media platforms. unhealthy practices at home.
72%
The young people were quick to
point out the shows they believed
portrayed positive attitudes towards The most unrealistic portrayal ‘My parents get depressed with
food, whether this by promoting of food was said to come from food adverts; they can’t afford it.’
healthy eating, or by giving tips on adverts, which are predominantly
how to save money on shopping for fast foods. McDonald’s, KFC The predominance of unhealthy
and cooking. and Domino’s adverts are aired adverts over ones focused on
constantly, making children want fresh, affordable food is something
believed the to eat those foods as opposed to the young people want to change,
portrayal
‘Some media is good because it
promotes home cooking.’ healthier and cheaper alternatives. pointing out McDonald’s adverts
Also, these adverts never reflect the even appear on bus tickets, which a
true quality of the product, with a lot lot of students buy multiple times a
of f d
‘Programmes like Eat Well for
Less and Eat Shop Save are good of young people saying they were day. They want to see adverts which
because they encourage healthy disappointed when they bought this are more balanced and promote
eating at reasonable costs.’ food because it wasn’t the same as nutritious food. They also pointed
the advert. out no adverts show hunger is an
& meal times
issue here in the UK.
‘You go to McDonalds and it’s so
small compared to the adverts. It’s ‘You see adverts about helping
on
pathetic really.’ people who are going hungry in
TV is
Africa, but not here and it’s still
Even adverts that aren’t for fast happening in the UK.’
food can be unhelpful to those
struggling with food issues. Marks
and Spencer for example entices
viewers with pictures of mouth-
watering fresh food which for many
is beyond what they can afford and
unrealistic
not easy to buy on a budget.
22 CHILDREN’S FUTURE FOOD INQUIRY 23Social Media
Technology has ensured young say this exposure was unhealthy
people are constantly connected; in that it created unrealistic food
not just to each other, but to a expectations. They are calling for
myriad of celebrities and public celebrities to be more responsible in
figures who play a large part in what they post online.
influencing their behaviour. Sites
like Instagram are becoming ‘Celebrities advertise certain types
increasingly popular for food sites of cooking and it creates pressure
and blogs, and the students did and influences people. I don’t think
have positive things to say about you should ban celebrities from
how social media can help widen doing this, but there should be less
their understanding of food. Along of it.’
with Snapchat, the platform is a
helpful place to source recipes and ‘Social media is stupid; look at my
food ideas, and can contribute to caviar on toast and my private jet.’
young people attempting to cook
new things. It can also be a source However, it isn’t just celebrities who
of positive stories to do with food create pressure, with most of the
and body image, and so the view of students admitting to feeling jealous
social media is not a wholly negative of food their friends have posted on
one. their social media profiles. They also
considered how their own innocent
‘Sometimes it can be inspiring to snaps of food may have more of
see different recipes, but people can an impact on people less fortunate
become obsessed too.’ than they might realise, and so they
also called for young people on
However, the constant stream of social media to be responsible for
updates from celebrity feeds and
channels means young people are
what they shared with their friends,
and be more considerate of others.
Highlights
repeatedly subjected to pictures
of food and drink these celebrities ‘You might be sat there with a Pot • More realistic representation • More responsibility and
post. This in turn can lead to Noodle, looking at pictures of food of food on television, with accountability in relation to what
pressures to emulate their idols online and it makes people feel sad, programmes dedicated to is posted about food online,
on food options and the way they like they’re missing out because promoting healthy and affordable whether this be from celebrities,
eat. The students we spoke to they can’t have nice food.’ meals for families to cook, or just in what young people
in order to benefit everyday post amongst their friends and
lifestyles. peers, with the hope of erasing
unrealistic expectations.
• A more balanced selection of
adverts, aimed at everyone; if
fast food adverts were shown
alongside media showing
healthy alternatives, then it
would encourage people to eat
better and not rely so heavily on
takeaway food.
24 CHILDREN’S FUTURE FOOD INQUIRY 25At home, the students wanted there related content. While this can be
to be more communication amongst beneficial in exposing children to
CONCLUSION
families, calling for more openness different food options, it can also
about food poverty issues, so they foster unrealistic expectations of
can support each other and try to what they should be eating, with
deal with any problems before they celebrities posting about expensive
become serious. Families working meals and featuring paid adverts for
together to help with the shopping food companies. It can also create
and preparation of food would pressure and jealousy amongst
Despite coming from a variety of that considered different dietary ease individual burdens, and eating friends and peers, with boastful
schools and backgrounds spanning and cultural requirements. The together would help strengthen food posts contributing to some
the entirety of the UK, the different general consensus is the food is familial bonds. children feeling left out.
voices of the students we spoke to unappetising and presented in
told the same stories about food portions too small to ensure children A better knowledge of food banks They want people to be more
insecurity, and how it pervades are full. and support services would also responsible and accountable in
throughout every aspect of their help ensure families had sufficient terms of what they share online,
personal lives, in ways in which they They also want the food to be more staple foods to feed themselves on being more considerate of how what
themselves may not have realised; affordable, reflecting the size of the a day to day basis, and hopefully they are posting can affect the less
from their experiences in the dining portions, and considerate of the fact reduce stigma surrounding seeking fortunate. A little consideration will
hall, to the way in which food is those on free school meals often support with food provisions. help ease societal pressures relating
portrayed on TV and across their do not get enough money to buy to food, and the financial costs
social media. a complete meal. The presence of Popular media has a massive effect associated with it.
a dedicated hunger teacher would on how young people view food
At school, the young people also help the school monitor which and diet, with an endless array of By compiling their concerns
expressed a desire for widespread students were struggling, and create food programmes and adverts that and experiences into this report,
change across how food is priced, more effective solutions to food promote unhealthy fast food or the young people hope to raise
prepared and presented, calling poverty issues. unaffordable dishes over nutritious, awareness of food insecurity
for better quality food with options home-cooked options that could be and how it is pervasive across all
prepared by the average family. A aspects of their lives. By highlighting
more balanced selection of adverts the changes they want made in
would encourage families to go for education, at home and throughout
affordable options over unhealthy popular media, they hope to start
quick-fixes. a serous conversation about the
state of food insecurity in the UK,
The way in which young people are and begin to change the way it is
so inter-connected on social media perceived in order to make real
presents its own challenges, as they change going forward.
are in constant contact with food
Everyone has a right to eat properly, and
seek help without judgement.
26 CHILDREN’S FUTURE FOOD INQUIRY 27References
1. School Meal Quality and Academic Performance Michael L. Anderson,
Justin Gallagher, and Elizabeth Ramirez Ritchie July 19, 2018
2. https://democracy.hants.gov.uk/documents/s8225/School%20
Meal%20Prices.pdf
3. https://foodfoundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/
Affordability-of-the-Eatwell-Guide_Final_Web-Version.pdf
4. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/sep/05/four-million-uk-
children-too-poor-to-have-a-healthy-diet-study-finds
Acknowledgements
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Written by
Matthew Mills - Fixers News and Features Writer.
28FixersUK .org.uk
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