BHFA Champions a Preventative Future for Food Insecurity in Brighton & Hove
May 22, 2025
From Emergency to Empowerment: BHFA Champions a Preventative Future for Food Insecurity in Brighton & Hove
Food banks have long served as a lifeline for those in crisis—but what if they could be more than that? What if they could become stepping stones out of poverty rather than holding patterns within it?
This is the bold vision at the heart of Beyond Food Banks, a groundbreaking report co-authored by our very own Dr. Tim Jones alongside Ali Ghanimi (Brighton & Hove Food Partnership) and Laurel Nathan (Hollingdean & Fiveways Foodbank). The report lays out an ambitious but practical roadmap for transforming how we respond to food insecurity in Brighton and Hove.
A City Under Strain
Each week, over 6,300 people in Brighton and Hove rely on emergency food. Surging demand, dwindling resources, and growing complexity have turned food banks from short-term lifelines into long-term necessities. For many, food support is no longer a temporary measure—it’s become a way of life. But as Dr. Jones and co-authors argue, it doesn’t have to be this way.
Collaboration Over Competition
Drawing from interviews with 27 food projects across the city, the report reveals both the strengths and fractures in Brighton and Hove’s emergency food landscape. While many projects are passionate and effective, fragmentation, territorial attitudes, and logistical challenges are hampering collective progress.
“There is deep willingness to collaborate,” says Dr. Jones, “but it must be balanced with respect for autonomy and purpose. Trust-building and consistent communication are key.”
From Charity to Change
The report calls for a shift away from the current reactive model toward a system that is preventative, dignified, and empowering. Recommendations include:
- Training for food project staff on benefits, budgeting, and Universal Credit.
- A centralised online hub for shared resources and best practices.
- Better mapping and coordination between food providers to reduce gaps and overlaps.
- Bulk buying and distribution networks to lower costs and reduce food waste.
- A universal referral system to streamline access and ensure equity.
- Wraparound services including debt advice, housing support, and employment guidance.
- These are not just idealistic goals—they are grounded in the lived experiences and input of frontline volunteers, food project leaders, and residents.
Faith in Action
As a faith-based organisation committed to social justice, BHFA thanks Dr. Jones for his proactive contribution to this vital piece of work on our behalf. Our network understands that dignity, compassion, and systemic change must go hand in hand. The Beyond Food Banks report gives us the tools and inspiration to begin this transformation in earnest.
We believe this is a defining moment for the city. With five years of secured funding for the Brighton & Hove Food Partnership, increased council backing, and a renewed spirit of collaboration, the time is ripe to move beyond food banks and toward food security for all, and faith communities are well positioned to be at the forefront of these initiatives.
To read the full report, visit Brighton & Hove Food Partnership.
To support BHFA’s work or get involved, contact us.
