The Food Foundation in partnership with the Food Research Collaboration, Sustain, and the Sociology Department of Oxford University are holding an interactive session exploring why, and how, household food insecurity could be measured in the UK

The session is being run between 18:30 and 20:00 on Tuesday 8^th of November in Committee Room 9 of the Palace of Westminster as part of the ESRC Festival of Science.

Recent analyses from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations suggests 8.4 million people live in food insecure households in the UK and are unable to secure enough food of sufficient quality and quantity to stay healthy and participate fully in society.  However, there are currently no routine measurements of food insecurity in the UK. An absence of regular data collection means the true magnitude of the problem remains hidden.

This session is being convened to build the case for measurement amongst the wider academic and policy community, and the general public.  We will explore, through plenary discussion, the public policy case for quantifying levels of food insecurity, and showcase a number of measurement tools which could readily be applied in the UK.  The session will also explore how complimentary research techniques can help amplify the voices of the food insecure in the public policy process.

The links between food security indicators and other forms of poverty measurements – such as childhood poverty indicators and fuel poverty – will be discussed, as will the UK’s commitment to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.  Please do circulate this event to colleagues and peers involved in broader poverty work in addition to food policy.

The session will close with an interactive session, where guests will be introduced to a number of groups and campaigns currently thinking about the measurement and alleviation of food insecurity.

Please RSVP to the event here.