Birnie Team working alongside Dungannon Foodbank

Ashley Hassin from Birnie Consultancy presenting the November Statistics Update at the Dungannon Foodbank Launch.

Foodbanks are facing unprecedented demand due to the current cost of living crisis. Because of the numbers they’re seeing, Dungannon Foodbank (part of the Trussell Trust Network of Foodbanks) asked the team at Birnie Consultancy to take an in-depth look at their figures to help people better understand the need.

Taking a five-year view, the team outlined a 191% increase in need between 2019 and 2020, due to the pandemic, with only a slight decrease (10%) between 2020 and 2021.

Currently, this year’s figures are predicted to be 39% above 2021, with weekly figures tracking a 58% rise in need between the first and second weeks in October, coinciding with a 31.15% electric price rise.

It’s clear at the cost of living crisis is hitting hard, something we’re seeing across the entire agri-food sector. This year to date, Dungannon Foodbank has blessed 5,370 people with £91,528 (retail value) worth of food and other essentials - a figure predicted to be close to 6,000 by year-end.

As a company operating out of Dungannon, the team was happy to be able to offer this service to the local community. We will be continuing to work with the team from Dungannon Foodbank throughout 2023 and beyond.