Tiffin Food Bank & The Principles of Food Dignity. Food For Thought!

Taking aid in any form may have a stigma associated with it, hence the need to understand the circumstances and feelings of those who find them selves on hard times. The follow is a short report designed to help bring our community together - The breaking of bread.

Lets start with the basic principles of food dignity.

Things to consider.

Having power to make choices about What, Where, When, How and with Whom you eat.

Leave people with the power to choose How does our work make people feel a sense of control? People should have the power to make choices about what, where, when, how and with whom they eat. Community food providers should consider the specific food choices they provide and how they can work with others in their area to ensure that those experiencing food insecurity have a variety of options to access food - enabling food experiences that are culturally appropriate and dignified.

Recognise the social value of food.

Food is at the centre of many social situations – sharing a cup of tea with a friend, celebrating the holidays, family birthday parties – as well as the less noticeable experiences of buying, preparing, sharing, eating food every day. Experiencing food insecurity can therefore be socially isolating and undermine people’s ability to take part in community life.

"Any organisation which secures Scottish Government funding and support to work on tackling food poverty must demonstrate how its approach promotes dignity and is helping to transition away from emergency food aid as the primary response."

Provide opportunities to contribute

How does our work make people feel valued and able to contribute? Part of the stigma for people who need to access emergency food provision is being seen as a ‘scrounger’ or a ‘skiver’. Many people feel uncomfortable receiving something without being able to give something back. Having meaningful ways to contribute - whether financially or through sharing skills or time - can make people feel a greater sense of value, self-worth and belonging

Involve in decision-making people with direct experience

Listening to the views and experiences of people with lived experience of food insecurity is an important part of shaping services that deliver effective and dignified support. People should feel able to share their views and to have those views taken seriously in decision making. Efforts should also be made to encourage and enable those involved to make use of these opportunities, accommodating diverse needs and abilities – for example, by addressing language or other barriers that keep people from sharing their views.