Research by Kellogg's and YouGov Reveals Parents are Sacrificing Meals and Turning to Charities to Feed Families

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This World Food Day (16^th October 2017) a new survey by YouGov, on behalf of Kellogg, has revealed that there is a growing crisis in family nutrition across Europe.

     (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/584136/World_Food_Day_Infographic.jpg )

The research went to a sample of over 8,000 people, which included over 2,500 parents of children 18 and under - across France, Germany, Italy and Spain, found that families are struggling to afford a balanced and healthy diet, and are increasingly reliant on Breakfast Clubs, foodbanks and charities, especially during school holidays.

It has also revealed an alarming trend that parents often sacrifice their own meals in order to afford to be able to feed their children.

According to the research, 15% of people across Europe disagree with the statement that fresh fruit and vegetables are affordable and easy to access where they live, while nearly a quarter (23%) disagreed with the same statement about fresh meat or fish. The research also found that while families felt they understood the importance of a healthy balanced diet, food costs and availability were forcing them to make less nutritious choices.

In France, 41% of families felt they struggled to afford the types of food they want their family to eat, while in Germany, 35% of people admitted they want their families to eat healthily but they can't afford to. This rose to 36% in Italy, 38% in Spain, and 48% in France.

Gráinne O'Brien, Director of External Communications at Kellogg Europe, commented: "The message from families across Europe is that parents know how they want to feed their children, but food costs are leaving many families facing a barrier to healthy and balanced Nutrition. This is having an impact on the nutritional health of children and their parents, many of whom are facing impossible choices.

"This is illustrated by the fact that between 13% of parents in France, Germany, Italy and Spain said they had skipped a meal in order to be able to feed their children, especially during school holidays. It is for this reason we help families in need through our Breakfasts for Better Days programme."

With parents struggling to feed their families, the research also highlighted the extent to which families in Europe are relying on external support. Six percent of people said that they receive food at least once a week from charities and NGOs, yet this figure increased by a large amount during school holidays.

In fact, 39% of parents in Spain and in Germany said they relied on these external organisations more during holidays compared to term time. In France the figure was 34%, with Italian parents relying on charities, NGOs and others for food more often at 41%.

Carolina Diaz-Lonborg, Communications consultant, European Federation of Food Banks (FEBA) added: "The research from Kellogg is mirrored in what our member food banks are telling us. We are seeing an increase in demand for food - particularly fresh fruit and vegetables and for this we rely on largely on companies to think about food banks before they dispose of edible foods. As well as much needed food and provisions; many of our members are starting to look at providing support and advice on how to have a healthy balanced diet. "

The theme for World Food Day 2017 is based on in investing in food security from people from a variety of backgrounds which should serve to remind people that there is a lot more to do in the battle against hunger both in developed and developing countries.

Having been established over 111 years ago Kellogg has a long heritage of providing food to people and families in need. As part of the Breakfasts for Better Days programme, Kellogg's has already provided more than 1.9billion servings of food to people in need globally, and has pledged to provide a further 2.5 billion by 2025.

To read more on the report visit http://www.kelloggs.co.uk/fooddividereport

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was  5,000 adults in Germany, France, Spain and Italy, of which 2,570 were parents of children 18 and under. Fieldwork was undertaken between 11^th - 14^th August 2017. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all parents (aged 18+) of children 18 and under in each country, and Europe figures have been given an even weighting for each country to produce an 'average' value.

SOURCE Kellogg’s