Food cost and affordability

Households living in poverty spend a higher proportion of their income on food than those living in better-off households. In 2019, on a kilocalories (energy) basis, healthy foods were estimated to be three times more expensive than foods high in salt, sugar and/or fat. The recent cost-of-living crisis and high levels of food price inflation have exacerbated this, making it even harder for those on low incomes to consume what is recommended to be a healthy diet.

Food price inflation

Food price inflation reached a high in March 2023 of over 19.1% – see graph above. This has fallen to around 1.5% in June 2024. This means that, while food prices continue to rise each month, the prices are increasing at a much lower rate than in 2023. Rapidly increasing food prices have an impact on the lowest income households which spend a higher proportion of their overall income on food. This is contributing to increasing levels of food insecurity, particularly those who are most vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Affordability of a healthy diet

Analysis undertaken for the Food foundation (UK) in 2023 and reported in it's Broken Plate Report 2023– see graph above – found that the most deprived fifth of UK households would need to spend an estimated 50% of their disposable income (after housing costs) on food in order to eat a diet that aligns with current healthy eating guidelines. This compares to just 11% for the least deprived fifth of households. The proportion increased for all households between 20/21 and 21/22.

Pantries

Pantries are food outlets that are located in local communities where, for a small membership fee, discounted food, often provided via surplus food networks, is available to members. Many also provide guidance and advice, for example on benefits, bills, employment and mental health.

The Scottish Pantry Network was established to support these local approaches to improving access to affordable food.The Scottish Pantry Network currently has ten pantries in Glasgow City (Scottish Pantry Network, 2023).

Free school meals (FSM)

All children in Glasgow in P1-5 are eligible for free school meals along with those children from P6 to S6 whose families meet the FSM criteria. Worth around £10 per child per week, this is an important benefit in kind, providing many children in Glasgow with access to a nutritious three course meal every school day. School meals are required to adhere to national nutritional regulations. 

Data on free school meal update can be found in the children's indicators section.

This page was last updated in September 2024.