Four North East local authorities are set to receive a share of £10m of Government funding to help tackle food poverty. The money will be provided to 45 councils across the country, including four in the region, identified as having the greatest levels of deprivation and childhood obesity.
How the funding will be used
Each council will receive £222,000 to develop solutions that meet local needs. Funding could support initiatives such as community food shops, mobile greengrocers, lunch clubs, community kitchens, and cooking and nutrition programmes, as well as helping local authorities strengthen their capacity to plan for and meet local food needs.
The investment responds to stark figures - 9% of people lived in food insecure households in 2024/25, while children living in the most deprived communities are significantly more likely to experience obesity and related health inequalities. The challenge is particularly acute for families with children, disabled people and those on low incomes. Many communities also face barriers to accessing fresh and nutritious food, with so-called "food deserts" limiting the availability of affordable healthy options.
Programme development and partnerships
This programme has been developed following the work of the Citizen's Advisory Council, and conversations with civil society organisations, to understand what would work best for local communities. Alongside government funding, the programme will work with businesses, charities and philanthropy to build on existing community projects, reach more people and bring additional funding into local areas. Through the Government's Good Food Cycle, the programme will help communities access healthier food and build a more resilient future.
The North East areas receiving funding
The councils in our region set to receive money include:
- Hartlepool Borough Council
- Middlesbrough Council
- South Tyneside Council
- Sunderland City Council
Welcoming the announcement, MP for Washington and Gateshead South, Sharon Hodgson, said: "Too many families in this community are struggling to access affordable, healthy food. Through this programme, power is being put in the hands of our communities to develop focused solutions that work for them."
"As the former Minister for Public Health and Prevention, I know how important our food is in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Everything that we can do to make this more affordable and accessible for people like the residents of Sunderland and Washington is a step in the right direction. Whether it's a food shop, a local greengrocer or a community kitchen bringing people together, this investment will help hardworking families to put healthy food on the table, strengthen local resilience, and improve health outcomes."
Environment Secretary Angela Eagle said: "Initially we will be supporting 45 communities, bringing fresh affordable produce into neighbourhoods, creating community kitchens and supporting pensioners' lunch clubs that tackle loneliness and hunger side by side. This is about more than what's on someone's plate, it's about the ties that bind us together."
