We have now partnered with Dorset Council and consolidated our previous partnerships across Weymouth (The Nest social supermarkets) and Blackmoor Vale (Vale Pantry and holiday club). We are working alongside Dorset Council in developing food insecurity network (including The Nest and Vale Pantry).

Weymouth

We are working with local partners to deliver a range of projects to tackle food insecurity in Weymouth. These include developing Affordable Food Clubs to provide nutritious food at a low cost for households at risk of hunger. Affordable Food Clubs in this area include The Nest Social Supermarket.

Blackmore Vale

We are working with The Vale Pantry to support their Affordable Food Club. The Vale Pantry offers nutritious food at an affordable price for households who might otherwise be at risk of hunger.

Levels of local food insecurity

According to the University of Sheffield’s research into local food insecurity of adults (Jan 2021), in Dorset:

• 6.00% of adults suffered from hunger
• 14.25% struggled to access food
• 11.91% worried about not having enough food

About this research:

The University of Sheffield have published statistics of UK adult food insecurity at Local Authority scale. You can view the map of measures of food insecurity here.

Hungry is defined as having skipped food for a whole day or more in the previous month or indicated they were hungry but not eaten because they could not afford or get access to food.

Struggle is defined as a positive response to at least one of the following:

• Sought help accessing food
• Skipped or shrank meal
• Gave a reason for not having enough food

Worry is defined as choosing very worried or fairly worried about getting food.