The UK is in the grip of a hunger crisis, and those on the frontlines—volunteers and staff in community food support—are carrying an unimaginable burden. A new report, Managing Hunger Trauma in Community Food Support: Systemic Betrayal, Moral Injury, and Distress in Staff and Volunteers, lays bare the psychological cost of this crisis. Written by Carl Walker and colleagues, the research is based on in-depth interviews with people across 35 food support organisations. It paints a deeply troubling picture of a sector overwhelmed not only by demand, but by a collective sense of moral responsibility and systemic failure.
The report reveals how, in the absence of a national food insecurity policy, grassroots food support organisations have become the UK’s unofficial safety net. From food banks to community supermarkets and pay-as-you-feel cafes, these services are doing their best to meet urgent needs—but they’re under immense pressure. Hunger trauma, experienced by people using these services, is characterised by shame, humiliation, and guilt. But this trauma doesn’t stop with the person in need. It is absorbed by those who help.
Volunteers and staff are suffering too. They are experiencing what psychologists call “moral injury”—a form of distress that arises when people are forced to act in ways that go against their values. Whether it’s deciding who gets a food parcel and who doesn’t, or feeling complicit in a broken system they can’t fix, the mental health toll is stark. People feel helpless, angry, ashamed, and emotionally exhausted. The trauma stays with them long after the food parcels have been handed out.
The report is clear: the community food support sector has become an essential but exploited part of the welfare system. Volunteers often step in because they cannot bear to see others go hungry. And yet, their efforts risk legitimising a system that has abandoned the very people it’s meant to protect. It’s a heartbreaking paradox: act and you’re propping up a failed system; don’t act and people suffer.
What’s worse, many staff and volunteers are doing all this without adequate training or mental health support. The report calls for urgent investment—not just in food aid itself, but in trauma-informed care, professional supervision, and access to mental health resources. It also highlights the need for systemic change, including a national food insecurity strategy, improved social security, and recognition that community food support now plays a vital role in public health.
But out of this sobering reality comes a powerful call to action. The authors and a growing group of food partnerships, trade unions, and campaigners are asking: what would collective representation look like for those on the frontline of food insecurity? They propose a national summit, a charter of rights for food support workers, and a pledge to raise awareness of the systemic failures driving food insecurity.
In Sheffield, we’re lucky to have a vibrant and diverse community food network, thanks to the passionate individuals who believe in dignity and solidarity. These amazing organisations do so much more than just address hunger—they’re creating stronger, more connected communities for everyone.
As ShefFood partners, groups like St Vincent’s de Paul Society Sheffield, Food Matters Stocksbridge, S2 Food Poverty Network, Co-operation Town, Burngreave Foodbank, S12 Community Pantry, Food for Thought Lunches, FoodCycle, Parson Cross Community Pantry, Church on the Corner, Open Kitchen Social Club, and the Sheffield Food Bank Network are providing everything from affordable surplus food and emergency parcels to shared meals, warm spaces, and social support. They are the backbone of Sheffield’s food justice movement, working tirelessly—often without recognition—to make sure no one is left behind.
At ShefFood, we know that food is never just about food. It’s about community, justice, health, and hope. That’s why we’re proud to support our network of partners across the city. And it’s why we’re inviting all food support organisations and volunteers to read this report, share your experiences, and join the conversation about what comes next.
Yes, this report is heavy. It shows us that behind every tin of beans handed out is someone carrying a hidden weight. But it also shows us something else—something extraordinary. It shows us that in a country where millions go without, thousands of people are stepping up, often at great personal cost, to say: you matter. You deserve to eat. You are not alone.
So, let’s not leave them to carry that burden alone. Let’s amplify their voices, fight for the changes we need, and ensure that care doesn’t come at the cost of burnout. Let’s build a future where no one has to feel ashamed for being hungry—and no one has to feel broken for trying to help.
If you’re inspired by the challenges outlined in this report and wish to contribute to the solution, there are numerous ways to take local action. Whether you’re looking for support, offering your time, or collaborating with a food organisation, you can find assistance and resources on our Community Food Provision page. You’ll discover information on accessing food, supporting others, and connecting with Sheffield’s broader food network.
Join our Community Food Provision Working Group, an inclusive space for those who believe everyone deserves access to nutritious, culturally appropriate food paired with social connection and dignity. We’ll discuss the report at our next meeting on Thursday, April 17th. To stay updated on events and opportunities, sign up for the ShefFood newsletter and support a fairer, healthier food system in our city. For more information and resources, visit www.sheffood.org.uk.