Food insecurity tracker update: Families continue to face high levels of food insecurity

YouGov survey methodology  

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 10,814 UK adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 31st January and 3rd February 2023. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults 18+. The figures presented from the online survey have been analysed independently by The Food Foundation and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Comparison to older figures is from a series of previous surveys conducted with YouGov commissioned by the Food Foundation. Population calculations made by the Food Foundation using 2021 mid-year population estimates (reference). 

• We ask the following questions to explore how many households have experienced food insecurity:  
  • Having smaller meals than usual or skipping meals due to being unable to afford or get access to food  
  • Being hungry but not eating because due to being unable to afford or get access to food  
  • Not eating for a whole day due to being unable to afford or get access to food 

If they answered yes to any of these three questions, they are classified as food insecure. We ask them if they had experienced this in a) the last month and b) the last 6 months. The questions are based on the United States Department of Agriculture's Food Security Survey module.