Communities Facing Growing Pressure as Living Costs and Energy Uncertainty Rise
More households are seeking affordable food support as financial pressures continue to build
Across Devon and Cornwall, communities are facing increasing financial pressure, and demand for affordable food support continues to rise.
Alongside ongoing cost‑of‑living challenges, uncertainty around potential energy cost increases is adding to concerns for many households. Worries about heating and electricity bills—driven by wider political and economic instability—are compounding existing pressures on already stretched budgets.
At Devon and Cornwall Food Action (DCFA), we are seeing the impact of this uncertainty reflected in growing demand for our affordable food bundles. Many of the people accessing our service are in work, yet still struggling to afford everyday essentials. Rising food prices, housing costs and concern about future energy bills are forcing more families and individuals to make difficult choices between food, heating and other basic needs.
Why more households are seeking support
Several factors are contributing to the growing need for affordable food provision across our communities:
- Rising living costs, with uncertainty around energy prices creating additional anxiety for households
- Low wages and insecure work, leaving little room to absorb unexpected increases in bills
- Rural and coastal communities facing higher transport and heating costs
- Many working households do not qualify for traditional food bank support, despite experiencing real financial strain
For these households, DCFA’s affordable food bundles provide a vital alternative—offering practical help with dignity, without the need to reach crisis point.
Responding to rising demand
Throughout 2025, DCFA increased its activity to meet growing need. Over the course of the year, we:
- Rescued over 190 tonnes of surplus food that would otherwise have gone to waste
- Distributed 6,500 affordable food bundles to families and individuals
- Delivered food through 89 pop‑up events across Devon and Cornwall
Additional food was also redistributed through outreach activity and special offers whenever surplus allowed.
This level of activity highlights both the strength of community partnerships and volunteer support, and the scale of need facing households across the region.
The challenge ahead
As financial pressures continue in 2026—and uncertainty around energy costs remains—maintaining a consistent and reliable supply of affordable food is becoming more challenging. Ensuring that each bundle contains a dependable range of essential items sometimes requires DCFA to supplement donated food, increasing costs at a time when resources are already under pressure.
Despite this, our commitment remains unchanged: to provide affordable food in a way that is respectful, sustainable and environmentally responsible, while reducing food waste and supporting communities through uncertain times.
Get involved
As more people turn to affordable food support, staying connected and supporting this work matters more than ever.
Donate to help keep food moving and support households under pressure:
https://devonandcornwallfoodaction.org/donate
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Together, we can respond to rising need, reduce food waste, and strengthen communities across Devon and Cornwall.