One in five young people – an estimated 2.5 million - have had trouble affording food in the last six months, according to new research from Co-op and Barnardo’s.* Almost a quarter (23%) said they were unable access healthy food in their own communities.**
In response, Co-op and Barnardo's are calling for action to set up a food partnership in every community by 2030.
According to Sustainable Food Places, a food partnership is “a local alliance of organisations and individuals working together to improve their food system.” Most consist of networks of private, public and third sector organisations and individuals.
Co-op and Barnardo’s new report, launched today, reveals that only half (54%) of local authorities in the UK could confirm they are working with a food partnership in their area. Less than a third (28%) could confirm that their food partnership benefits young people, and a mere 13% said that their food partnership involved young people in decision-making.
“Food partnerships can do amazing work to bring communities together to make sure everyone can access good, healthy food,” said Kyson, a 21-year-old from Manchester who worked closely in the creation of this report. “Despite some good examples we found, most don’t know where to start with supporting and involving young people. That’s what we’re trying to change.”
Kyson, who became homeless aged 18, continued:
“Access to food for young people is in a bad place. I know from my own experience that you can feel shunned or shut out from community places that are supposed to help. Young people are out there genuinely wanting to help - not just their own families but their communities too – but they aren’t being given the chance.”
The report into food partnerships has been published against a backdrop of wider concerns for young people, as additional Co-op and Barnardo’s research found that fears for the future have become part of daily life for more than 1 in 3 (36%) young people across the UK.
In a survey about the hopes and ambitions of over 2,000 people aged 10-25, just 30% said they believe they will achieve their dream job, while more than a quarter (29%) said that they don’t feel positive about their future at all.
Almost half (46%) listed the rising cost of living as their biggest concern for the future. The findings also highlight the ongoing mental health challenges facing young people, with 45% of those surveyed saying they’ve experienced issues such as anxiety, stress, anger, panic attacks, loneliness or depression in the past six months – a rise from 41% just two years ago.
19-year-old Brodey, from Middlesborough, described how easy it is to lose hope, saying:
“People don’t want to better themselves, because they think it’s impossible, or that it won't last. If you don’t have anything, nobody can take it away from you.”
As well as encouraging local authorities to step up support, Co-op and Barnardo’s have recently announced an extension to their national partnership – aiming to raise £7 million and support 1 million young people through services that promote mental wellbeing, improve access to food, and open up opportunities for a more positive future.
In Hurlford, Scotland, that service incorporates a food partnership through the provision of a community pantry - ‘Hurlford Helping Hands’. Young people were involved in every stage of the design and development process.
“I thought setting up our [community pantry] project was quite exciting,” said 16-year-old Katie, from the area. “That we were being listened to and that we had the chance to change our community. That doesn’t happen enough for young people, I wish there were more opportunities to do that.”
17-year-old Zack, who also lives in Hurlford, added:
“There are so many people that are struggling in Hurlford – deciding between paying bills or buying food. So being able to help people with our pantry - it's been so good, just knowing that what we've done has made a difference.”
Lynn Perry, CEO of Barnardo’s, said: “Food Partnerships (FPs) bring communities together to improve access to food, but not every community has one. We want to change that so that every community can benefit from these fantastic initiatives. Unfortunately, many don’t always involve young people or give them a voice.
Shirine Khoury-Haq, CEO of The Co-operative Group, continued: “By removing barriers, fostering meaningful participation, and empowering young people, we can support positive futures for them and their communities across the UK. We’re calling on our government, local authorities, businesses, and charities to take action, ensuring young people have a real voice - because their positive future is our shared responsibility.”
Andrew Forsey OBE, National Director of Feeding Britain, said: “When young people are given the chance to co-design initiatives which improve the affordability and accessibility of food – youth-led holiday clubs, and food clubs, for example – the results are stunningly good, with greater freedom, opportunity, and control placed into their hands. In that spirit, this report offers a map and compass for young people to lead our country out of the hunger crisis, once and for all.”
Helen Starr-Keddle, on behalf of Sustainable Food Places, added: “Partnerships drive change on health, climate, economy, and food security, proving the power of collaboration. We believe young people must be at the heart of this movement: they are most affected by today’s broken food system and have the vision, creativity, and leadership to transform it. We warmly welcome this inspiring report from Barnardo’s and Co-op and are committed to using its recommendations to drive meaningful action locally and nationally for a better future.”
Please visit https://www.barnardos.org.uk/research/co-op-deeper-roots-stronger-futures to find out more.
* Research conducted by Opinion Matters, among a sample of 2001. The data was collected between 10.03.2023 – 17.03.2023. Opinion Matters abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Opinion Matters is also a member of the British Polling Council.
** ‘A recipe for success: How do children and young people want to access food in their communities?’, Barnardo’s and Co-op, September 2024
***3 ‘Deeper roots, stronger futures: Unlocking the potential of food partnerships for young people’, Co-op & Barnardo’s, July 2025