Stories

Thu, 24 Sep 2026

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 Food banks 'in crisis' amid fears some may have to close

According to the Trussell Trust, an anti-poverty charity, some food banks are having pay for 30-50% of the food they are supplying.

* Enniskillen Foodbank has enough money for two months of running costs before they run out, but manager Paul Dickson says it's not sustainable.
* South West Belfast Foodbank on Stewartstown Road is struggling with stock and has had to significantly reduce the sizes of their parcels.
* According to the Trussell Trust, some food banks are having to pay for 30-50% of the food they supply.
* A report by the Trussell Trust found that food banks distributed fewer parcels in 2025 than in 2023, but this may be due to a corresponding fall in need rather than use.
* Fiona Cole from the Trussell Trust says there needs to be sustainable funding for food banks and support from government and the Northern Assembly.