Food Insecurity: A Constant Factor in the Lives of Low-Income Families in Scotland and England

During the school summer holidays, pressures on already tight budgets of low-income families are compounded, particularly when safety net free meals is removed. The main aim current study was to investigate how parents and carers feed their during term time children receive if, how, strategies differ holidays. A secondary role holiday activity food programmes in supporting We used purposive sampling recruit a total 21 ( N = 20 Female, 1 Male) whose attended clubs Scotland England 2017. Participants were asked about shopping habits they differed holidays not available. findings suggest that insecurity constant factor lives Scotland, stages employed mitigate its effects appear be cyclical, aligning with Food Agriculture Organisation's (FAO) continuum academic year. time, worried food, suggesting experiencing mild insecurity, despite being receipt meals. As approached, moderate experienced as reported began “provisioning,” storing reducing household expenditure. did last, parental acquisition became more intense. Parents downgraded brands bought reduced price items food. Ultimately, self-sacrificed own nutritional intake by only buying would eat often skipped or ate children's leftovers. However, attendance at club helped make home last longer once resumed, returned less intense, but constantly coping approach shopping. this who simply do have enough income prevent them from even initiatives such access provision activities place.