Meeting food vulnerability needs during COVID-19: applying a systems approach to evidence based policy and practice

Lead Research Organisation: University of Sheffield
Department Name: Politics

Abstract

Working with national governments across the UK - including Defra's Food Vulnerability Directorate, the Scottish and Welsh governments and the Food Standards Agency, this project will apply a systems approach to enable understanding and monitoring of the array of activities to enhance or provide food access to vulnerable people during the COVID-19 outbreak, including both financial and direct access. Reflecting Defra's Food Vulnerability focus, target groups include people with low incomes, shielded individuals, and the 'non-shielded vulnerable'.

The aims of this project are to:
- Undertake comprehensive mapping of the food access systems, highlighting key areas of vulnerability within them and identifying links to other support systems.
- Using a case study approach, develop and apply methods for monitoring and evaluating the food access for vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 outbreak and through the easement of lockdown restrictions.
- Develop 'exit strategies' for managing the transition out of systems that will not be provided after the crisis.
- Establish 'best practice' protocols for resiliency planning for the future.

The project methods include collaborative systems mapping, local area case studies (collating qualitative and quantitative data) and in-depth interviews with system users and other key actors.

The project will provide policymakers with a comprehensive overview of food access activities for vulnerable groups and identification of key gaps and weaknesses within this system, informed by stakeholders who use these systems and those contributing to them. Civil society and business communities benefit by directly informing this work, but also from its evaluative and monitoring components, enabling them to identify and refine their efforts in the wider context.

Publications

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Lambie-Mumford, H (2020) Monitoring responses to risk of rising food insecurity during the COVID-19 crisis across the UK

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Lambie-Mumford, H. (2020) Mapping responses to risk of rising food insecurity during the COVID-19 crisis across the UK

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Loopstra R (2023) Food banks: Understanding their role in the food insecure population in the UK in Proceedings of the Nutrition Society

 
Description Since the last submission date we have published several research reports on local case studies.

In July 2021 the key findings for case studies of local responses to food access issues over March - August 20202:
- The scale of the response was unprecedented.
- Voluntary food aid providers were pivotal to local responses
- Food aid was provided through both existing and new initiatives
- Partnership working and working together was a key enabler of responses.
- There were clearly distinct challenges in rural locations.

We revisited these case studies to explore their responses between September 2020 and 2021. Our findings identified a number of key trends:
1. Cash first approaches increasingly integrated in local responses to food insecurity
2. A range of actors driving for comprehensive approaches and system-wide strategies
3. Recognising the role of third sector organisations and the limitations of food aid capacity and food supply
4. Increasing the reach of community food projects and other services

The lessons for local responses learned from this research included:
- Take a whole systems approach to tackling household food insecurity
- Retain and sustain networks and partnership working
- Harness and guide new interest in food support systems
- Retain wide engagement, from a range of audiences, for food access interventions
- Empower third sector responses in a sustainable way
- Understand, and respond to, the range of factors impacting food access
Exploitation Route This is ongoing
Sectors Agriculture, Food and Drink,Communities and Social Services/Policy
URL http://speri.dept.shef.ac.uk/food-vulnerability-during-covid-19/
 
Description The impact of the collaboration for the two NGO co investigators included increased knowledge, which will be used to inform future work around means and mechanisms for supporting households experiencing food insecurity. The evidence also provides a tool for them to support learning amongst local and national politicians. Of uppermost importance to each of the NGOs is the evidence around the utility and crucial role that food alliances can play in supporting food access and the establishment of a blueprint for involving people with lived experience within social policy and research. Each of these will support their ongoing campaigning work on these issues. Finally, the project reinforced the importance of collaborative work for NGOs and also showcased a different way of doing such collaborations. The impact for the government partners involved in the research was that the research provided evidence which both completed and enhanced their knowledge and understanding, particularly in the initial phases of the pandemic. This was over and above what they were able to do themselves, particularly in respect to the granular level of details provided and the comparison across the four countries. The findings have been drawn on in internal documents and in the Scottish Government's (2022) 'Every child every chance: Tackling child poverty delivery plan'. The impact for third sector organisations involved in the research also included better knowledge and understanding, particularly around different responses happening in local areas. This was a valuable source of learning for them. They also benefited from the exposure to and discussion with peers from across the country, prompting them to reflect on their own practices and approaches.
First Year Of Impact 2020
Sector Agriculture, Food and Drink,Communities and Social Services/Policy
Impact Types Societal
 
Description Research collaboration (NGO and government) 
Organisation Church Action on Poverty
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The research was designed to be highly collaborative. The project utilised three different types of collaborations and partnerships: NGO co-investigators, project partners, and project stakeholders. Below we discuss these different types, and summarise the impact of them.
Collaborator Contribution 1) NGO co-investigators. Two third sector organisations, Sustain and Church Action on Poverty (CAP), were co-investigators on the project. 2) Project partners. Nine non-academic partners were from Defra, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, Food Standards Agency, Department for Education 3) Project Stakeholders. The project has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders from local and national policymakers to leading third sector organisations, at both a local and national level.
Impact The impact of the collaboration for the two NGO co investigators included increased knowledge, which will be used to inform future work around means and mechanisms for supporting households experiencing food insecurity. The evidence also provides a tool for them to support learning amongst local and national politicians. Of uppermost importance to each of the NGOs is the evidence around the utility and crucial role that food alliances can play in supporting food access and the establishment of a blueprint for involving people with lived experience within social policy and research. Each of these will support their ongoing campaigning work on these issues. Finally, the project reinforced the importance of collaborative work for NGOs and also showcased a different way of doing such collaborations. The impact for the government partners involved in the research was that the research provided evidence which both completed and enhanced their knowledge and understanding, particularly in the initial phases of the pandemic. This was over and above what they were able to do themselves, particularly in respect to the granular level of details provided and the comparison across the four countries. The findings have been drawn on in internal documents and in the Scottish Government's (2022) 'Every child every chance: Tackling child poverty delivery plan'. The impact for third sector organisations involved in the research also included better knowledge and understanding, particularly around different responses happening in local areas. This was a valuable source of learning for them. They also benefited from the exposure to and discussion with peers from across the country, prompting them to reflect on their own practices and approaches.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Research collaboration (NGO and government) 
Organisation Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The research was designed to be highly collaborative. The project utilised three different types of collaborations and partnerships: NGO co-investigators, project partners, and project stakeholders. Below we discuss these different types, and summarise the impact of them.
Collaborator Contribution 1) NGO co-investigators. Two third sector organisations, Sustain and Church Action on Poverty (CAP), were co-investigators on the project. 2) Project partners. Nine non-academic partners were from Defra, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, Food Standards Agency, Department for Education 3) Project Stakeholders. The project has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders from local and national policymakers to leading third sector organisations, at both a local and national level.
Impact The impact of the collaboration for the two NGO co investigators included increased knowledge, which will be used to inform future work around means and mechanisms for supporting households experiencing food insecurity. The evidence also provides a tool for them to support learning amongst local and national politicians. Of uppermost importance to each of the NGOs is the evidence around the utility and crucial role that food alliances can play in supporting food access and the establishment of a blueprint for involving people with lived experience within social policy and research. Each of these will support their ongoing campaigning work on these issues. Finally, the project reinforced the importance of collaborative work for NGOs and also showcased a different way of doing such collaborations. The impact for the government partners involved in the research was that the research provided evidence which both completed and enhanced their knowledge and understanding, particularly in the initial phases of the pandemic. This was over and above what they were able to do themselves, particularly in respect to the granular level of details provided and the comparison across the four countries. The findings have been drawn on in internal documents and in the Scottish Government's (2022) 'Every child every chance: Tackling child poverty delivery plan'. The impact for third sector organisations involved in the research also included better knowledge and understanding, particularly around different responses happening in local areas. This was a valuable source of learning for them. They also benefited from the exposure to and discussion with peers from across the country, prompting them to reflect on their own practices and approaches.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Research collaboration (NGO and government) 
Organisation Department for Education
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The research was designed to be highly collaborative. The project utilised three different types of collaborations and partnerships: NGO co-investigators, project partners, and project stakeholders. Below we discuss these different types, and summarise the impact of them.
Collaborator Contribution 1) NGO co-investigators. Two third sector organisations, Sustain and Church Action on Poverty (CAP), were co-investigators on the project. 2) Project partners. Nine non-academic partners were from Defra, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, Food Standards Agency, Department for Education 3) Project Stakeholders. The project has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders from local and national policymakers to leading third sector organisations, at both a local and national level.
Impact The impact of the collaboration for the two NGO co investigators included increased knowledge, which will be used to inform future work around means and mechanisms for supporting households experiencing food insecurity. The evidence also provides a tool for them to support learning amongst local and national politicians. Of uppermost importance to each of the NGOs is the evidence around the utility and crucial role that food alliances can play in supporting food access and the establishment of a blueprint for involving people with lived experience within social policy and research. Each of these will support their ongoing campaigning work on these issues. Finally, the project reinforced the importance of collaborative work for NGOs and also showcased a different way of doing such collaborations. The impact for the government partners involved in the research was that the research provided evidence which both completed and enhanced their knowledge and understanding, particularly in the initial phases of the pandemic. This was over and above what they were able to do themselves, particularly in respect to the granular level of details provided and the comparison across the four countries. The findings have been drawn on in internal documents and in the Scottish Government's (2022) 'Every child every chance: Tackling child poverty delivery plan'. The impact for third sector organisations involved in the research also included better knowledge and understanding, particularly around different responses happening in local areas. This was a valuable source of learning for them. They also benefited from the exposure to and discussion with peers from across the country, prompting them to reflect on their own practices and approaches.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Research collaboration (NGO and government) 
Organisation Food Standards Agency (FSA)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The research was designed to be highly collaborative. The project utilised three different types of collaborations and partnerships: NGO co-investigators, project partners, and project stakeholders. Below we discuss these different types, and summarise the impact of them.
Collaborator Contribution 1) NGO co-investigators. Two third sector organisations, Sustain and Church Action on Poverty (CAP), were co-investigators on the project. 2) Project partners. Nine non-academic partners were from Defra, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, Food Standards Agency, Department for Education 3) Project Stakeholders. The project has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders from local and national policymakers to leading third sector organisations, at both a local and national level.
Impact The impact of the collaboration for the two NGO co investigators included increased knowledge, which will be used to inform future work around means and mechanisms for supporting households experiencing food insecurity. The evidence also provides a tool for them to support learning amongst local and national politicians. Of uppermost importance to each of the NGOs is the evidence around the utility and crucial role that food alliances can play in supporting food access and the establishment of a blueprint for involving people with lived experience within social policy and research. Each of these will support their ongoing campaigning work on these issues. Finally, the project reinforced the importance of collaborative work for NGOs and also showcased a different way of doing such collaborations. The impact for the government partners involved in the research was that the research provided evidence which both completed and enhanced their knowledge and understanding, particularly in the initial phases of the pandemic. This was over and above what they were able to do themselves, particularly in respect to the granular level of details provided and the comparison across the four countries. The findings have been drawn on in internal documents and in the Scottish Government's (2022) 'Every child every chance: Tackling child poverty delivery plan'. The impact for third sector organisations involved in the research also included better knowledge and understanding, particularly around different responses happening in local areas. This was a valuable source of learning for them. They also benefited from the exposure to and discussion with peers from across the country, prompting them to reflect on their own practices and approaches.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Research collaboration (NGO and government) 
Organisation Government of Scotland
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The research was designed to be highly collaborative. The project utilised three different types of collaborations and partnerships: NGO co-investigators, project partners, and project stakeholders. Below we discuss these different types, and summarise the impact of them.
Collaborator Contribution 1) NGO co-investigators. Two third sector organisations, Sustain and Church Action on Poverty (CAP), were co-investigators on the project. 2) Project partners. Nine non-academic partners were from Defra, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, Food Standards Agency, Department for Education 3) Project Stakeholders. The project has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders from local and national policymakers to leading third sector organisations, at both a local and national level.
Impact The impact of the collaboration for the two NGO co investigators included increased knowledge, which will be used to inform future work around means and mechanisms for supporting households experiencing food insecurity. The evidence also provides a tool for them to support learning amongst local and national politicians. Of uppermost importance to each of the NGOs is the evidence around the utility and crucial role that food alliances can play in supporting food access and the establishment of a blueprint for involving people with lived experience within social policy and research. Each of these will support their ongoing campaigning work on these issues. Finally, the project reinforced the importance of collaborative work for NGOs and also showcased a different way of doing such collaborations. The impact for the government partners involved in the research was that the research provided evidence which both completed and enhanced their knowledge and understanding, particularly in the initial phases of the pandemic. This was over and above what they were able to do themselves, particularly in respect to the granular level of details provided and the comparison across the four countries. The findings have been drawn on in internal documents and in the Scottish Government's (2022) 'Every child every chance: Tackling child poverty delivery plan'. The impact for third sector organisations involved in the research also included better knowledge and understanding, particularly around different responses happening in local areas. This was a valuable source of learning for them. They also benefited from the exposure to and discussion with peers from across the country, prompting them to reflect on their own practices and approaches.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Research collaboration (NGO and government) 
Organisation Government of Wales
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The research was designed to be highly collaborative. The project utilised three different types of collaborations and partnerships: NGO co-investigators, project partners, and project stakeholders. Below we discuss these different types, and summarise the impact of them.
Collaborator Contribution 1) NGO co-investigators. Two third sector organisations, Sustain and Church Action on Poverty (CAP), were co-investigators on the project. 2) Project partners. Nine non-academic partners were from Defra, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, Food Standards Agency, Department for Education 3) Project Stakeholders. The project has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders from local and national policymakers to leading third sector organisations, at both a local and national level.
Impact The impact of the collaboration for the two NGO co investigators included increased knowledge, which will be used to inform future work around means and mechanisms for supporting households experiencing food insecurity. The evidence also provides a tool for them to support learning amongst local and national politicians. Of uppermost importance to each of the NGOs is the evidence around the utility and crucial role that food alliances can play in supporting food access and the establishment of a blueprint for involving people with lived experience within social policy and research. Each of these will support their ongoing campaigning work on these issues. Finally, the project reinforced the importance of collaborative work for NGOs and also showcased a different way of doing such collaborations. The impact for the government partners involved in the research was that the research provided evidence which both completed and enhanced their knowledge and understanding, particularly in the initial phases of the pandemic. This was over and above what they were able to do themselves, particularly in respect to the granular level of details provided and the comparison across the four countries. The findings have been drawn on in internal documents and in the Scottish Government's (2022) 'Every child every chance: Tackling child poverty delivery plan'. The impact for third sector organisations involved in the research also included better knowledge and understanding, particularly around different responses happening in local areas. This was a valuable source of learning for them. They also benefited from the exposure to and discussion with peers from across the country, prompting them to reflect on their own practices and approaches.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Research collaboration (NGO and government) 
Organisation Sustain (food and farming alliance)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The research was designed to be highly collaborative. The project utilised three different types of collaborations and partnerships: NGO co-investigators, project partners, and project stakeholders. Below we discuss these different types, and summarise the impact of them.
Collaborator Contribution 1) NGO co-investigators. Two third sector organisations, Sustain and Church Action on Poverty (CAP), were co-investigators on the project. 2) Project partners. Nine non-academic partners were from Defra, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, Food Standards Agency, Department for Education 3) Project Stakeholders. The project has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders from local and national policymakers to leading third sector organisations, at both a local and national level.
Impact The impact of the collaboration for the two NGO co investigators included increased knowledge, which will be used to inform future work around means and mechanisms for supporting households experiencing food insecurity. The evidence also provides a tool for them to support learning amongst local and national politicians. Of uppermost importance to each of the NGOs is the evidence around the utility and crucial role that food alliances can play in supporting food access and the establishment of a blueprint for involving people with lived experience within social policy and research. Each of these will support their ongoing campaigning work on these issues. Finally, the project reinforced the importance of collaborative work for NGOs and also showcased a different way of doing such collaborations. The impact for the government partners involved in the research was that the research provided evidence which both completed and enhanced their knowledge and understanding, particularly in the initial phases of the pandemic. This was over and above what they were able to do themselves, particularly in respect to the granular level of details provided and the comparison across the four countries. The findings have been drawn on in internal documents and in the Scottish Government's (2022) 'Every child every chance: Tackling child poverty delivery plan'. The impact for third sector organisations involved in the research also included better knowledge and understanding, particularly around different responses happening in local areas. This was a valuable source of learning for them. They also benefited from the exposure to and discussion with peers from across the country, prompting them to reflect on their own practices and approaches.
Start Year 2020