Full Description
Since 2020, we have seen a huge increase in the demand for charitable food aid, due to multiple political and economic crises. Initially seen as an emergency measure, corporate-backed food aid programs are now entrenched 'solutions' to hunger. But who really benefits from them?
Kayleigh Garthwaite travelled across Britain, North America and Europe, working with food banks, co-ops, urban farms and food justice organisations. She documents the limitations of these programs, and how institutionalising charitable food aid absolves governments of their responsibility to ensure that people have a right to food.
As hunger and inequality continue to rise within advanced capitalist countries, this issue is more urgent than ever.
Kayleigh Garthwaite proposes radical key policies for governments and explores alternative community-led responses grounded in solidarity, not charity, to end the need for food aid before the indignity of food banks becomes completely normalised.
Contents
Foreword - by Kerry Hudson
Introduction
Part I. The Problems of Charitable Food Aid
1. The Past and Present of Charitable Food Aid
2. Food Surplus and the Growth of the Hunger Industrial Complex
3. The Problems of Charitable Food Aid under a Permanent State of 'Emergency'
4. Labour Exploitation and Burnout in the Charitable Food Aid System
Part II. Dignity, Rights and Solidarity
5. The Right to Food
6. Reducing Stigma, Promoting Dignity, Nurturing Solidarity
7. Mechanisms for Ending Charitable Food Aid
8. Advocating for Change and the Importance of Solidarity
Conclusion
