THE number of people resorting to foodbanks to feed themselves in Cheshire West has increased by almost 100 per cent since 2018.

New figures from the Trussell Trust, the UKs biggest foodbank network, show the charity distributed a total of 13,555 food parcels in the Cheshire West and Chester borough in the year 2017/18.

For the year to April 2023, the number of parcels given is more than twice that at a staggering 26,028 - an increase of near 100 per cent.

On our own doorstep, the Trussell Trust’s Mid-Cheshire Foodbank (MCFB), serving Northwich and Winsford, has seen demand rise by 69 per cent over the same period, with the greatest increase seen among people who live alone.

MCFB project manager, Catherine Lawton, said: “Over the five-year period, the number of food parcels distributed by MCFB has increased by 69 per cent.

“In the past year, we saw a 12 per cent increase, with the proportion of single-person households accessing our help going from 30 per cent to a high point of 49 per cent.

“This demonstrates the disproportionate impact the cost-of-living crisis has on these households.”

MCFB was established in 2012 and runs a network of 12 food distribution centres across Northwich and Winsford for people in food poverty. 

They work closely with partnership organisations, such as anti-food waste initiatives, which give people options other than foodbanks when they want to make the money available to spend on food go a bit further. 

Catherine added: “The benefits of this proactive approach is shown by the lower increase in foodbank use than elsewhere in Cheshire West. 

“A big part of it is waste and sustainability projects operated by the Very Green Groceries in Northwich and Winsford, and Northwich Community Support, all of which provide a benefit to the environment as well as giving people an option to stretch a weekly food budget.”