Joana Da Silva: Why we need to talk about food poverty

Talking about food poverty helps reduce the stigma around it. And with 13% of the population at risk of poverty, it's important that we are open about it so we can help them access an acceptable, affordable and healthy diet, writes Safefood nutritionist Joana Da Silva 

Some families need to turn to food banks to get them through the week, parents may go without meals to ensure children are fed, or may resort to cheaper, less nutritious foods. File photo: iStock

Safefood has published the fourth of our biennial research reports, which looks at the cost of a minimum acceptable healthy food basket that meets both nutritional and social needs for those in Ireland living on a low income. 

The report found that some families need to spend up to one third (35%) of their weekly take-home income to afford this basket.