Our approach.
Over the past few years, food poverty has become an increasingly visible feature of life in this country.
Hardly a week goes by, particularly in winter, when we are not reminded of the huge endeavours of people and charities to help those who find themselves in situations where they are short of food for their families.
The re-stocking of food banks Is a constant media theme. There are many pictures of relieved parents knowing that they can put food in front of their children for the next few days at least.
But the food bank organisations acknowledge that these short-term arrangements cannot address the much greater systemic challenge of enduring poverty.
Charities and think tanks who focus on this area make reasonable claims that the money available to people in need is not enough. But their lobbying only gets them so far. There will probably never be enough to deliver security for all.
This means that that it is very difficult to see a future without the need for food banks and we should be grateful that they are there.
We are pragmatists. We believe that greater self-sufficiency can be achieved for many thousands in the UK population. But this will mostly come from ensuring that the people who should be protected by a government safety net get the help to which they are entitled.
We would like to talk to current charities about how we might work with them to deliver a solution which could help many out of long term food poverty.
But first, please read our white paper which sets up the issue.