More than one in six parents surveyed (18%) across the UK say they have put their children to bed hungry or without enough food at least once a week in the last 12 months, due to issues accessing or affording enough food, according to new research released today by Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s.
The findings expose the scale of food insecurity facing families, with parents making hidden sacrifices to protect their children from hunger and distress. More than a quarter (26%) of parents surveyed pretend there is more food in the house than there actually is to avoid upsetting their children, while 32% have skipped meals weekly in the last 12 months so their children can eat.
While more than three quarters of parents surveyed (76%) said bedtime is one of the most important bonding moments with their children, for families struggling to access or afford food, a moment that should be safe and comforting can be a time of increased stress and worry.
The research coincides with the launch of an ambitious new phase of Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s partnership, building on their vital work to tackle the deepening issue of food insecurity in local communities. Together, they aim to raise £30million to provide millions of meals for children and families across the UK over the next five years, helping to fund initiatives such as food clubs, after-school meals and school holiday clubs.
To help shine a light on the issue, a powerful new short film has been released today on YouTube
featuring actor Jodie Whittaker, who narrates a new poem written by screenwriter, director and Comic Relief co-founder Richard Curtis.
Let’s Put Hunger to Bed, is inspired by the real lived experiences of parents and children affected by food insecurity. Told from the perspective of a child facing food poverty, the poem subverts the familiar bedtime routine to surface the reality facing millions, where meals are skipped or scarce. It ends with a powerful message of hope: “Somehow, soon, we’ll put hunger to bed.”
Comic Relief co-founder, Richard Curtis said: “We are hugely grateful to the parents who have shared their experiences and helped inspire the poem. While the research shows the scale of hunger and hardship facing families across the UK, it’s incredibly important to make sure the voices of families are heard and to tell stories grounded in the reality of what’s happening in homes across the country. That’s how we can truly understand how urgent this issue is.
“The work Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s are doing together to help get millions more meals to children and families is crucial, and has never been more needed.”
Simon Roberts, Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s said: “No child should go to bed hungry, yet today this is the reality facing far too many families across the UK. Building on our decades-long partnership with Comic Relief, we’re setting a bold new ambition to change this by raising £30 million for Comic Relief by 2030, helping us to reach a total of 120 million meals donated to children and families across the UK since 2022.
“We’re stepping up our fundraising ambitions, and this summer we’ll be matching every pound raised by our colleagues and customers – from our new colleague fundraising challenge to the in-store and online donations our customers can make when they shop with us. These vital funds will support Comic Relief to drive action across industry initiatives that will help improve children’s health, support families and make sure everyone has the support systems they need.
“Good food is something everyone should be able to access. We need to work harder than ever to make this a reality, which is why we are so determined that our partnership with Comic Relief helps to put childhood hunger to bed once and for all.”
Jodie Whittaker said: “I’ve loved being part of this project and lending my voice to such an important poem and message. It’s heartbreaking that so many families are struggling or going without enough food. Using the warmth of a bedtime story – with characters we’ve all grown up with – to tell a real and difficult truth is incredibly powerful. I hope it helps shine a light on the realities so many families are facing.”
The research – a Censuswide poll of 2,010 parents of primary school-aged children across the UK – also exposes some of the hidden sacrifices that parents are making to keep their children fed. Just over half (57%) of parents surveyed said they have skipped a meal in the past year so their children could eat, while two thirds (66%) reported relying on snacks or light meals instead of a full evening meal for themselves or other adults in the household. The emotional toll is clear, as 61% of respondents whose children have gone to bed hungry or without enough food in the last 12 months said worrying about food stops them from fully enjoying special moments with their child.
One of the parents who inspired the poem is Tracey, a mother of five who, despite working multiple jobs seven days a week, was unable to afford enough food and basic essentials due to rising living costs.
Tracey said: “It all began six years ago when I became a single parent to my children. I had one wage coming in and stretching to six of us in the household. I already had a full-time job, but I got a part-time job in the evening just to see me through. I couldn’t keep up with bills, I couldn’t keep up with food shopping, I started struggling.
“There would be days when I wouldn’t eat because I had to save so my children could eat proper meals. The hardest part of being a parent is keeping your children alive and not being able to give them the foods they need to flourish.”
Tracey was introduced to The Bread and Butter Thing by a customer at her part-time job. Supported by funding from Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s, The Bread and Butter Thing runs food clubs that operate out of local community hubs. They provide members with high-quality groceries, including fresh produce, chilled goods and pantry staples, at a fraction of the usual cost, helping people stretch their budgets and build financial resilience. She said: “When I signed up with The Bread and Butter Thing, it changed my life, it changed my kids’ lives. Now I eat at least three times a day. I can eat with my children. We can have our meals together.”
To find out more about the partnership between Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s, it’s impact to date, and how it’s supporting families across the UK facing food insecurity visit: comicrelief.com/partners/sainsburys
Watch ‘Let’s Put Hunger to Bed’ here.
