Academic literature on the topic 'FOODBANCS'

The foodbank symbolises a changing landscape of social insecurity and welfare conditionality. Attending to decision making within the foodbank system, this article argues that foodbanks, and their referral-system creates a bureaucratic ‘moral maze’ identifying people as ‘deserving’ or ‘undeserving’ of help. Maintaining a moral distance, organised religious foodbanks are reliant upon a complex outsourcing of moral decisions and walk a fine balance between supply (donations) and demand (use). Within this article, we argue that the foodbank landscape is akin to navigating a moral maze, and that this creates, and justifies decisions of deservingness.

This article reports on Foodbank Histories, a multi-organisational project connecting oral histories and social justice at Newcastle West End Foodbank (NWEF). Foodbank Histories recorded interviews with clients, volunteers, and supporters of NWEF, aiming to raise awareness of food poverty and generate income for the foodbank. We outline the proliferation of foodbanks in contemporary Britain, and situate Newcastle in its socio-political and geographical contexts. The article reviews the methodology and epistemology of this collaborative project, and particularly the challenges of coproduction. It also details the ongoing public outputs from this dynamic project.

Foodbanks and other forms of charitable welfare provision are fast becoming an established feature of the UK social security system. Drawing on over two years of ethnographic observation in a Trussell Trust foodbank in North East England, this paper explores the relationship between the construction of the ‘active citizen’ and lived experiences of foodbank users and volunteers. Findings show how participants’ experiences and behaviour challenges popular political and policy narratives that individuals are using foodbanks because of poor lifestyle choices. The internalisation or rejection of this narrative is then examined, contrasting the different forms of citizenship that arise. Through the significant work that goes into living on a low income, people both aligned with and challenged the ideas underpinning ‘active citizenship’.

Food insecurity is a serious problem and non-profit humanitarian relief agencies such as foodbanks play a significant role in fighting hunger. Each foodbank collects a lot of data every day. However, the complexity of the data collected from the relief operations provide a challenge for the foodbank managers to make informed decisions. Working with a local foodbank, we have developed dashboards that provide visualized information and allow users to interact with the tool. The effectiveness of the dashboard interactivity was evaluated in an empirical study. Results revealed that different types of interactivity had an impact on user performance. Findings from this research can help designers improve their dashboard design.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore both volunteer and ethnographer in a Trussell Trust foodbank in Stockton-on-Tees, North East England during a period of welfare reform and austerity. It shows how ethnographic researchers can develop a more effective qualitative understanding of foodbank use through volunteering. Design/methodology/approach – The methodological design was ethnographic both in terms of data collection and analysis. Volunteering and participant observation began in November 2013 and is ongoing. The data presented are derived from field notes of participant observations. Findings – Tensions are present when considering how best to write up ethnographic research when the researcher adopts a “volunteer ethnographer” role. The negotiation of relationships, practices, and emotions requires the researcher to appreciate the complex and “politicized” discourse surrounding foodbank use in order to report how the foodbank operates in an objective yet truly reflective way. Originality/value – There is an expanding research interest in the growth of foodbanks. This paper offers unique insights into the value and tensions of adopting the dual role of “volunteer ethnographer” when researching foodbank use in the UK.

AbstractThis article charts the rise of one of the UK's most high profile forms of food banks: the Trussell Trust Foodbank franchise. Employing empirical data it seeks to embed the phenomenon of the growth of Foodbanks within a social policy research context. In the first instance, the role of recent and on-going shifts in the social policy context are examined, notably the importance of welfare diversification under previous Labour governments (1997–2010) and the current public spending cuts, welfare restructuring and Big Society rhetoric of the Conservative−Liberal Democrat Coalition government. The paper goes on to explore the nature of Foodbanks as emergency initiatives, providing relief and alleviation for the ‘symptoms’ of food insecurity and poverty. Data are presented which demonstrate some of the ways in which the Foodbank model and those who run the projects navigate the tension between addressing symptoms rather than ‘root causes’ of poverty and food insecurity. In the face of the simultaneous growth in emergency food initiatives and significant upheavals in social policy and welfare provision, the article culminates with an argument for social policy research and practice to harness and prioritise the human rights-based approach to food experiences.

A Plataforma Oeste da Península Antártica (POPA) é uma região onde a produtividade primária na superfície do oceano apresenta padrões altamente sazonais e considerável variabilidade interanual. A dinâmica do gelo marinho é o principal fator condicionante da produtividade e, por consequência, dos fluxos de matéria orgânica da superfície para o leito marinho. A matéria orgânica particulada depositada, chamada de fitodetrito, forma densas camadas de alimento lábil disponível para os organismos bênticos. Essa relação estreita entre os processos da coluna de água e aqueles que ocorrem no bentos é chamada de acoplamento bento-pelágico. Com o objetivo de avaliar as respostas da macrofauna bêntica aos fluxos e deposição de alimento, foi realizada uma série temporal sazonal de amostragens (novembro/1999 a março/2001) na POPA em três estações de coleta perpendiculares à costa. Cerca de 25.000 indivíduos pertencentes a 22 táxons foram coletados em 15 amostras de box corer (0,25 m2 cada). Mesmo com alguma variação ao largo da plataforma (de 10.886 ind.m-2 (estação A) a 2.326 ind.m-2 (B)), atribuída a diferenças na topografia, a macrofauna apresentou pouca variabilidade em termos de composição e abundância ao longo do período estudado. Além disso, diferenças na composição e abundância entre estratos sedimentares também foram notáveis, sendo que 90% dos indivíduos foram encontrados entre 0 e 5 cm. Dentre as 185 espécies identificadas, Aurospio foodbancsia (Polychaeta, Spionidae), uma espécie típica de regiões de plataforma na Antártica, mas muito próxima da espécie de mar profundo A. dibranchiata, foi a espécie dominante em todos os períodos e estações (2.087 ind.m-2). Além de Polychaeta, outros grupos abundantes na POPA foram Bivalvia, Tanaidacea e Oligochaeta. Picos de abundância foram observados para algumas espécies, provavelmente associados a eventos sazonais de recrutamento, porém nem sempre associados à chegada do alimento ao fundo marinho da região. Os grupo funcionais de Polychaeta também não variaram ao longo do período estudado, o que indicou que animais depositívoros de superfície e subsuperfície se alimentam ao longo de todo o ano, aproveitando o alimento que permanece lábil e disponível, mesmo no inverno, quando o fluxo de matéria orgânica para o bentos é mínimo. Os resultados encontrados neste trabalho confirmam os resultados já encontrados dentro do projeto FOODBANCS, que a macrofauna da POPA age como um filtro, respondendo menos às flutuações sazonais.
The West Antarctic Peninsula shelf (WAP shelf) experiences a high seasonal and interannual variability in surface primary production. Sea ice dynamics is the principal factor controlling productivity and, therefore, the downward particulate organic matter (POM) fluxes. The deposited POM, also called phytodetritus, forms dense layers of available labile food for benthic organisms. This straight relationship between water column and benthic processes is called benthic-pelagic coupling. A seasonal time-series study was conducted between November 1999 through March 2001 in tree sites on WAP shelf, to determine this relationship, specially the benthic macrofauna (> 300 µm) response to the POM flux and its posterior deposition. From a total of 15 box-corer samples (0.25 m2 each), approximately 25,000 macrofaunal individuals were collected, belonging to 22 taxa. Even with some variation along the shelf, ranging from 10,886 ind.m-2 (site A) to 2,326 ind.m-2 (B), the abundance and composition of macrofauna showed only modest seasonal changes. Differences in these parameters were clear between the inner and outer shelves, probably owing to the topography, which was composed of a basin in the innermost region and a flat region, in the offshore area. Differences in abundance and composition between sediment layers were also notable, with 90% of all individuals belonging to the 0-5 cm layer. Among the 185 identified species, Aurospio foodbancsia (Polychaeta, Spionidae), a typical species of Antarctic shelf regions and closely related to the deep-sea species A. dibranchiata, was dominant in all seasons and sites (2,087 ind.m-2). Besides polychaetes, bivalves, tanaids and oligochaetes were also abundant in WAP shelf. Peaks in abundance were observed for some species and this is believed to be related to seasonal recruitment, however not always associated with the availability of food. Polychaete functional groups did not vary along seasons, indicating that surface and subsurface deposit feeders were subsisting on the labile POM along the year, even during the winter, when POM flux to the benthos is extremely low. The results are similar to those obtained in other FOODBANCS works, and indicate that the WAP shelf macrofauna act as a low-pass filter, muting the seasonal water column processes.

The rising demand for foodbanks and increasing hospital admissions as a result of 'malnutrition' are a reflection of growing food insecurity in the United Kingdom (UK). The adverse impact of this on dietary quality, health and general wellbeing is a growing public health concern. This programme of research aimed to explore why people use foodbanks, the factors that influence their quality of diet, and some of the ways to improve the diet of foodbank users. Mixed-methods were used incorporating interviews with foodbank users (N=18) and personnel (N=12) from 10 London foodbanks. Furthermore, foodbank (N=270) and Advice Centre (AC) (N=245) users from three London boroughs were surveyed about what led to their referral to foodbank, and the relationship of food insecurity, social support, competing expenditure and access to cooking or chilled storage facilities to their dietary quality. Interview data suggested that income crisis degraded the diet of foodbank users who used extreme coping strategies to maintain food sufficiency, in the face of competing expenditures, lack of social support and access to cooking and chilled food storage. Interviews with foodbank personnel suggest that future interventions should consider using foodbank as a point of contact to improve the diet of its users. This would involve meeting the needs of both foodbank users and volunteers, as well as working with agencies across other sectors such as policymakers and community members. Survey data showed that compared to local people attending AC, foodbank users had poorer dietary quality. This can be seen by a greater proportion of participants classified as having 'not good' overall dietary patterns, and lower consumptions of 'healthy' foods (e.g. oily fish, fruit, vegetables) (P < 0.001). Furthermore, compared to AC users, foodbank users were more likely to experience severe food insecurity and greater financial strains. They were also more likely to experience adverse life events, lower social support, and had greater competing expenses and difficulties accessing cooking facilities. Of these, the adverse effect of income crisis on users' quality of diet (P < 0.001) was mediated by food insecurity.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: FoodBank South Africa is an non-profit organisation formed to establish a national network of community foodbanks in urban and rural areas of South Africa, with all participants working towards the common goal of eliminating hunger and food insecurity. FoodBank Cape Town was the first of these community foodbanks launched in South Africa on 2 March 2009. The operations of FoodBank Cape Town include sourcing food and redistributing it to agencies (social services organisations running feeding programmes). Currently the majority of the food is sourced from the retail sector and then redistributed to approximately two hundred agencies. The logistics involved in both sourcing and distributing food are vital to the efficient functioning of FoodBank Cape Town. Since the costs associated with these logistics operations are very high, streamlining these operations has been identified as a priority area for efficiency improvement. The focus in this thesis is on the distribution logistics involved, specifically focussing on a facility location problem according to which FoodBank Cape Town can establish local distribution depots to which it delivers food and from which the agencies collect food assigned to them. A mixed-integer programming model is formulated for the above facility location problem and small test instances of the problem are solved using different exact and approximate solution methods in order to identify a suitable solution methodology for the full (large-scale) FoodBank Cape Town facility location problem. The full facility location problem is solved approximately by means of a meta-heuristic solution method in the more highly constrained instances, while an exact method is selected for solving the lesser constrained instances. The problem is first solved based on the distances between the warehouse and the depots as well as the distances between the agencies and the depots, for the twenty four instances where 17 to 40 depots are located. The model is then developed further to incorporate the cost of distribution. This cost-based facility location model is solved with a view to minimise the cost of food distribution from the warehouse to the depots and the cost of food distribution incurred by each agency to collect food from its assigned depot. A basic vehicle routing technique is applied to the cost-based facility location solution and the associated costs of the distribution are updated. This cost-based solution updating process is performed iteratively until the solution converges. Since the cost of food distribution depends on the vehicle fleet composition used, a vehicle fleet composition comparison of possible FoodBank Cape Town vehicles is performed to determine the most desirable vehicle fleet composition to be used for the distribution of food to depots. The results of the FoodBank Cape Town facility location problem and vehicle fleet composition comparison are presented and recommendations are made to FoodBank Cape Town regarding the preferred number of depots, the location of these depots and the preferred vehicle fleet composition.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: FoodBank South Africa is ’n nie-winsgewende organisasie wat ten doel het om ’n nasionale netwerk van gemeenskapsvoedselbanke in stedelike en landelike gebiede van Suid-Afrika op die been te bring, waarin al die deelnemers die gemeenskaplike doel nastreef om honger en voedselonsekerheid te elimineer. Foodbank Cape Town was die eerste van hierdie gemeenskapsvoedselbanke in Suid-Afrika en is op 2 Maart 2009 gestig. Die take van Foodbank Cape Town sluit in die versameling van voedsel en die verspreiding daarvan aan agentskappe (gemeenskapsorganisasies wat voedingsprogramme bestuur). Die oorgrote meerderheid voedsel is tans uit die kleinhandelsektor afkomstig en word aan ongeveer tweehonderd agentskappe versprei. Die logistiek wat met hierdie versamelings- en verspreidingsprosesse gepaard gaan, is sentraal tot die doeltreffende funksionering van FoodBank Cape Town. Aangesien die kostes verbonde aan hierdie logistieke prosesse baie hoog is, is hierdie aktiwiteite as ’n prioriteitsarea vir verbetering geidentifiseer. Die fokus in hierdie tesis val op die logistiek verbonde aan die verspreiding van voedsel deur FoodBank Cape Town, en meer spesifiek op die probleem van die plasing van ’n aantal lokale verspreidingsdepots waar FoodBank Cape Town voedsel kan aflewer en waar die agentskappe dan voedsel wat aan hulle toegeken is, kan gaan afhaal. ’n Gemengde heeltallige-programmeringsmodel word vir die bogenoemde plasingsprobleem geformuleer en klein gevalle van die model word deur middel van beide eksakte en benadere oplossingstegnieke opgelos om sodoende ’n geskikte oplossingsmetode vir die volle (grootskaalse) Food- Bank Cape Town plasingsmodel te identifiseer. Die volle plasingsmodel word aan die hand van ’n metaheuristiese oplossingstegniek benaderd opgelos vir hoogsbeperkte gevalle van die model, terwyl minder beperkte gevalle van die model eksak opgelos word. Die plasingsmodel word eers met die oog op die minimering van afstande tussen die pakhuis en verspreidingsdepots sowel as tussen die verspreidingsdepots en agentskappe vir die vier-en-twintig gevalle van die plasing van 17 tot 40 verspreidingsdepots opgelos. Die model word dan verder ontwikkel om ook die koste van die verspreiding van voedsel in ag te neem. Die koste-gebaseerde plasingsmodel word opgelos met die doel om die voedselbankkoste van voedselverspreiding vanaf die pakhuis na die lokale verspreidingsdepots sowel as die agentskapkoste van die afhaal van voedsel vanaf verspreidingsdepots te minimeer. ’n Basiese voertuigroeteringstegniek word op die koste-gebaseerde plasingsmodel toegepas en die verspreidingskoste word dienooreenkomstig aangepas. Hierdie aanpassingsproses van die koste-gebaseerde oplossing word herhaal totdat die oplossing konvergeer. Aangesien die koste van voedselverspreiding afhang van die voertuigvlootsamestelling, word ’n vergelyking tussen moontlike vlootsamestellings vir FoodBank Cape Town getref om die mees geskikte samestelling van voertuie vir die verspreiding van voedsel te vind. Die resultate van die FoodBank Cape Town verspreidingsdepot-plasingsprobleem en vlootsamestellingsvergelyking word aangebied en ’n aanbeveling word aan FoodBank Cape Town gemaak in terme van ’n geskikte aantal verspreidingsdepots, waar hierdie depots geleë behoort te wees, en ’n geskikte voertuigvlootsamestelling vir die verspreiding van voedsel.

There is a dearth of research on the application of hard Operational Research (OR) techniques (simulation, linear programming, goal programming, etc.) in determining optimal ordering, inventory and allocation policies for goods within distribution systems in developing countries. This study aims to assist decision making at a not-for-profit organization (NPO), Foodbank South Africa (FBSA), within its allocation system through a combined ‘soft-hard’ OR approach. Two problem-structuring tools (soft OR), Causal Mapping (CM) and Soft System Methodology’s Root Definitions (RDs), are used to structure the organization's goals (in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the decision-context) and gain a better understanding of the ‘decision-issues’ in the allocation system at its Cape Town warehouse.

碩士
國立中興大學
國家政策與公共事務研究所
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The key aspects of a Foodbanks are to reduce food waste and to solve hunger. This kind of NPO can reduce many social issues. Foodbanks can cut down on waste, provide poor families with basic daily necessities, and even deal with problems for public security. Therefore, an NPO such as a Foodbanks can solve social issues that the government is not able to cope with, and offer people services that the government is not able to provide. In addition, NPOs are also a remedy for social problems along with the government and the economic market. However, while NPOs are getting fewer donations, the government helps very little. As a result, NPOs are facing severe financial difficulties. To solve these problems and foster the sustainable development of social welfare, NPOs must establish partnerships with enterprises. 　　Through in-depth interviews, this research works on the case studies of six Foodbanks. Based on the theories about corporate philanthropy, resource dependence theory, and social exchange theory, this research also analyzes the motives, purposes, difficulties and benefits of partnerships between NPOs and enterprises. 　　According to the research, NPOs do not count on enterprises as expected, and enterprises do not always put their own benefits as top priority. There are many factors which determine the cooperation between enterprises and Foodbanks. Surprisingly, small and medium-sized local enterprises usually donate out of altruism. The partnership between the two sides is based on trust and fulfillment of each other’s needs. Enterprises look for corporate image and goodwill, while Foodbanks want to achieve their goals. Together they look forward to making a win-win situation for enterprises, Foodbanks, and also the society. 　　To overcome difficulties in partnerships, to solve the problems about regulations that Foodbanks encounter, and to put across the ideas that Foodbanks want to convey, the government, enterprises, and Foodbanks must work together. The government is expected to have a discussion with Foodbanks, and make regulations that not only meet social needs but also protect Foodbanks. Accordingly, enterprises will be more willing to dedicate themselves to the cooperation, and people will learn more about this issue. Through the discussions among the three sides, Foodbanks can convey their ideas better, and enterprises can face real social problems so as to give the society valuable feedback. Meanwhile, the government can examine the act regulating food safety, and check the regulations of Foodbanks as well as their neutrality. By collaborating with each other, the three sides can create a comprehensive Foodbanks system, foster harmony in society, and solve the social issues.

Yes
Set in the context of the recent unprecedented upsurge of in-work poverty (IWP) in the UK – which currently exceeds out of work poverty – this article presents an account of the realities of experiencing poverty and being employed. Central issues of low-pay, limited working hours, underemployment and constrained employment opportunities combine to generate severe financial complexities and challenges. This testimony, taken comparatively over a year, reveals the experiences of, not only IWP, but of deep poverty, and having insufficient wages to fulfil the basic essentials of nourishing food and adequate clothing. This article contributes to current academic and social policy debates around low-paid work, IWP, the use of foodbanks and underemployment. New dimensions are offered regarding worker vulnerabilities, given the recent growth of the IWP phenomenon.

How successful has Britain been in tackling the giant of Want? Britain experienced greatly increased standards of material prosperity during the second half of the twentieth century, with a fourfold increase in GDP per head, similar to that achieved in other large Western democracies. However, Britain saw an even larger increase in economic inequality than did peer countries such as France and Germany. Increased inequality means that the benefits of rising material prosperity were not shared equally but went disproportionately to the better-off. The modest increase in household income for the poorest families suggests that Want, or poverty, should have declined too. However, poorer households also saw their levels of debt rise sharply after 1999, while the rising use of foodbanks and increasing food insecurity suggests that material progress for the poorest may have stalled in the twenty-first century, or gone into reverse.

This chapter focuses on the discourses around deservingness, choice, and gratitude in emergency food provision. As foodbank use has risen, the idea that more people are using foodbanks due to their availability has become a popular one within some sections of the mass media and the government. People accessing a foodbank are then perceived as the ‘undeserving poor’, seeking out free food so that they can spend their money on ‘luxury’ items such as alcohol, cigarettes, and large televisions. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this political rhetoric has had a strong influence on beliefs about foodbank use and deservingness, and can lead to stigma, shame, and embarrassment for the people who need to use them. In reality, people are largely using foodbanks as a last resort, due to factors such as benefit delays, sanctions, debt, and low pay.

The 2008 financial crisis resulted in a protracted recession in Europe of a kind not seen since the Great Depression. Austerity policies in both countries have increased the presence of and need for social initiatives such as foodbanks and, with them, civic engagement. Foodbanks are often viewed as social solidarity organisations that usually distribute donated food among people in need. Considering that Germany and the UK have both seen a considerable expansion of foodbanks in recent years, this chapter, using the method of ethnography, examines to what extent and thereby how foodbanks in Germany and the UK can construct social solidarity under austerity. The chapter argues that while foodbanks can create a societal representation of solidarity, they can also reproduce social stratification and segregation on the ground. It shows that foodbanks can generate a public image of solidarity on the macro-level, meaning on the societal level, but may struggle to do so on the micro-level, in other words in the interactions between service providers and recipients.

This chapter reflects the consequences of an established system of poverty relief: German foodbanks (Tafeln), which meanwhile have become part of the basic food supply of many citizens. Even if Tafeln consider themselves as a social movement they more and more appear as moral enterprises. This requires the analysis of the fundamental mechanisms within the economy of poverty, such as the commercialization of morals and the corresponding corruption of values. German foodbanks predominantly find their resonance in the system of economy. On the basis of reliable relationships to their moral clients, foodbanks are supplied with goods, equipment and services. The product they offer in return is a moral profit in the form of a positive image, which is useful in the context of Corporate Social Responsibility activities. As a social enterprise foodbanks imitate and emulate the prevailing economic rationality on every level from local practices to long-term strategies. This encompasses aspects such as differentiation of their range of products, securing the availability of their supply, quality management, professionalization as well as the efficiency enhancement. With their trademark protection and branding as Tafel, German foodbanks have emerged as monopolists on the market of pity, driving off other projects according to the logic of competition. The chapter comes to the conclusion that we have arrived in a society of spectacles in which it is becoming easier to receive public approval for symbolic poverty relief than it is to establish political legitimacy through sustainable fight for poverty reduction.

This chapter reveals how women respond to and navigate through the effects of austerity measures. It highlights the commonalities in women's navigation strategies, but also where and how these approaches diverge, with particular attention paid towards the strategies employed by single mothers. Here, divergent accounts of varieties of austerity as lived come into view, from women changing their shopping habits in fairly minor ways, to the use of foodbanks and informal loans. Ultimately, this chapter discusses five sections of this book, each of which explore the different ways and the extent to which these women are navigating through austerity. It is through such a nuanced analysis that we can further understand both the commonalities and divergences in women's experiences.

The foodbank network The Trussell Trust does not only give emergency food supplies, but also offers emotional support and a growing range of practical projects via the More Than Food programme to help tackle poverty-related issues. The mission is to bring communities together to end hunger and poverty in the UK by providing compassionate, practical help while challenging injustice. This chapter details the different programmes The Trussell Trust have devised and thereby examines some external challenges the London network faces. The chapter concludes that poverty and hunger are often amplified through social isolation. It suggests that more work needs to be done in order to increase collaboration across sectors, and specifically between the government, third sector, and businesses. There is increased need for more community life, and the fostering of social relations appears ever greater.