New figures published this month show just how important Bonny Downs Food Club has become to East Ham throughout the cost-of-living crisis; helping residents save money, eat more healthily, and feel more connected to the community – while at the same time reducing the need for people to rely on food banks or emergency food parcels.

Bonny Downs Food Club, which operates as part of the national Feeding Britain network, aims to provide low-cost but nutritious food, alongside a range of support services and community activities, for struggling residents. A survey of residents shows that, since making use of this service:

• 100% feel more connected to the community
• 90% have higher levels of wellbeing
• 95% are eating more fruit and vegetables
•  92% are able to afford to eat more balanced meals at home
• An average of £18.37p is being saved per visit on groceries

Commenting on the findings Stacey Cordery, Co-Director at Bonny Downs said: “We have been determined to help the community in East Ham by creating a welcoming space that facilitates connections to others and to essential services, alongside providing crucial access to affordable, nutritious food and providing support to address any underlying causes of hardship or difficulty in life. We appeal to anyone in our community who is able to support this ongoing work, which is making a demonstrable difference in our area, as well as to residents who might feel they can benefit from Bonny Downs Food Club to get in touch.”

Andrew Forsey OBE, Feeding Britain’s National Director, added: “Affordable Food Clubs, such as pantries and social supermarkets, aim to provide dignity and choice for people who are struggling to put food on the table. These figures suggest that, as well as helping to meet this objective, the Clubs bring communities closer together and enable people to access the help that’s needed to get more money into their pockets. The Clubs make life more affordable, manageable, and enjoyable for people during tough times, and must form part of a strategy to end the mass dependence on emergency food parcels in our country.”

The Feeding Community Report is available to download and read.

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