A new report from the South Cotswolds Foodbank reveals that over a third of households seeking emergency food support are first-time users, as rising living costs and health challenges deepen food poverty in the region.
Debbie Black, a resident of Fairford, Gloucestershire, said she has not yet needed a foodbank but fears she may soon. "With the heating going up and water bills rising, I won't be able to afford to eat before long," she said. Black has altered her shopping habits, opting for cheaper items and forgoing treats like chocolate.
The South Cotswolds Food Poverty Report 2025-26 found that one in three households referred for support have some form of income. It identifies rising living costs as the primary driver of food insecurity, along with health-related challenges linked to long-term conditions and disabilities.
Lou Sampson, from Cirencester, stopped working to care for her husband and described using a foodbank once as "embarrassing," despite acknowledging many people rely on such services. Britta Stephan, support services manager at the foodbank, stressed there should be no stigma. "There is still the misconception that people who need the foodbank don't want to work and are just abusing the system, which is really not the case," she said.
The report also highlights transport barriers in isolated communities, limiting access to help and cheaper supermarkets. Anton Wynn, head of the foodbank, said the charity's vision is to "end the need for a foodbank" through community collaboration.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said the government is "determined to turn the tide on poverty" by increasing the National Minimum Wage and reducing energy bills.