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New research commissioned by Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s reveals the stark reality millions of parents face when it comes to feeding their families
More than one in six (18%) parents said they have had to put their children to bed hungry or without enough food at least once a week in the last 12 months, due to difficulty accessing or affording food
Almost a third (32%) of parents surveyed say they have skipped meals at least once a week in the last 12 months so their children can eat
In response to deepening food insecurity, Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s are launching a new phase of their long-standing partnership to provide millions more meals to children and families across the UK
A new poem by Richard Curtis, voiced by Jodie Whittaker in a film released today, brings to life the experiences of families facing food insecurity
Watch ‘Let’s put Hunger to Bed’ on YouTube here (opens in new window)
Tuesday 12 May: More than one in six parents surveyed (18%) across the UK say they have put their children to bed hungry or without enough food at least once a week in the last 12 months, due to issues accessing or affording enough food, according to new research released today by Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s.
The findings expose the scale of food insecurity facing families, with parents making hidden sacrifices to protect their children from hunger and distress. More than a quarter (26%) of parents surveyed pretend there is more food in the house than there actually is to avoid upsetting their children, while 32% have skipped meals weekly in the last 12 months so their children can eat.
While more than three quarters of parents surveyed (76%) said bedtime is one of the most important bonding moments with their children, for families struggling to access or afford food, a moment that should be safe and comforting can be a time of increased stress and worry.
The research coincides with the launch of an ambitious new phase of Comic Relief and Sainsbury's partnership, building on their vital work to tackle the deepening issue of food insecurity in local communities. Together, they aim to raise £30million to provide millions of meals for children and families across the UK over the next five years*, helping to fund initiatives such as food clubs, after-school meals and school holiday clubs.
To help shine a light on the issue, a powerful new short film has been released today on YouTube(opens in new window) featuring actor Jodie Whittaker, who narrates a new poem written by screenwriter, director and Comic Relief co-founder Richard Curtis.
Let’s Put Hunger to Bed, is inspired by the real lived experiences of parents and children affected by food insecurity. Told from the perspective of a child facing food poverty, the poem subverts the familiar bedtime routine to surface the reality facing millions, where meals are skipped or scarce. It ends with a powerful message of hope: “Somehow, soon, we’ll put hunger to bed.”
Comic Relief co-founder, Richard Curtis said: "We are hugely grateful to the parents who have shared their experiences and helped inspire the poem. While the research shows the scale of hunger and hardship facing families across the UK, it’s incredibly important to make sure the voices of families are heard and to tell stories grounded in the reality of what’s happening in homes across the country. That’s how we can truly understand how urgent this issue is.
“The work Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s are doing together to help get millions more meals to children and families is crucial, and has never been more needed.”
Simon Roberts, Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s said: “No child should go to bed hungry, yet today this is the reality facing far too many families across the UK. Building on our decades-long partnership with Comic Relief, we’re setting a bold new ambition to change this by raising £30 million for Comic Relief by 2030, helping us to reach a total of 120 million meals donated to children and families across the UK since 2022.
“We’re stepping up our fundraising ambitions, and this summer we'll be matching every pound raised by our colleagues and customers – from our new colleague fundraising challenge to the in-store and online donations our customers can make when they shop with us. These vital funds will support Comic Relief to drive action across industry initiatives that will help improve children’s health, support families and make sure everyone has the support systems they need.
“Good food is something everyone should be able to access. We need to work harder than ever to make this a reality, which is why we are so determined that our partnership with Comic Relief helps to put childhood hunger to bed once and for all.”
Jodie Whittaker said: “I’ve loved being part of this project and lending my voice to such an important poem and message. It's heartbreaking that so many families are struggling or going without enough food. Using the warmth of a bedtime story - with characters we've all grown up with - to tell a real and difficult truth is incredibly powerful. I hope it helps shine a light on the realities so many families are facing.”
The research - a Censuswide poll of 2,010 parents of primary school-aged children across the UK - also exposes some of the hidden sacrifices that parents are making to keep their children fed. Just over half (57%) of parents surveyed said they have skipped a meal in the past year so their children could eat, while two thirds (66%) reported relying on snacks or light meals instead of a full evening meal for themselves or other adults in the household. The emotional toll is clear, as 61% of respondents whose children have gone to bed hungry or without enough food in the last 12 months said worrying about food stops them from fully enjoying special moments with their child.
One of the parents who inspired the poem is Tracey, a mother of five who, despite working multiple jobs seven days a week, was unable to afford enough food and basic essentials due to rising living costs.
Tracey said: “It all began six years ago when I became a single parent to my children. I had one wage coming in and stretching to six of us in the household. I already had a full-time job, but I got a part-time job in the evening just to see me through. I couldn’t keep up with bills, I couldn’t keep up with food shopping, I started struggling.
“There would be days when I wouldn’t eat because I had to save so my children could eat proper meals. The hardest part of being a parent is keeping your children alive and not being able to give them the foods they need to flourish.”
Tracey was introduced to The Bread and Butter Thing by a customer at her part-time job. Supported by funding from Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s, The Bread and Butter Thing runs food clubs that operate out of local community hubs. They provide members with high-quality groceries, including fresh produce, chilled goods and pantry staples, at a fraction of the usual cost, helping people stretch their budgets and build financial resilience. She said: “When I signed up with The Bread and Butter Thing, it changed my life, it changed my kids’ lives. Now I eat at least three times a day. I can eat with my children. We can have our meals together.”
To find out more about the partnership between Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s, it’s impact to date, and how it’s supporting families across the UK facing food insecurity visit: comicrelief.com/partners/sainsburys (opens in new window) Watch ‘Let’s Put Hunger to Bed’ here(opens in new window). ENDS
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Simrit Mann, PR Officer
0207 820 2500 (Press Office)
media@comicrelief.com (opens in new window)
www.comicrelief.com/media-centre (opens in new window)
Out of hours enquiries: 0207 820 2444
NOTES TO EDITORS
*Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s have been working together to tackle food insecurity since 2022. Over this time, Sainsbury’s has donated the equivalent of 60 million meals as part of its partnership with Comic Relief, and is now aiming to double that amount to donate the equivalent of 120m meals, to be distributed to Comic Relief’s funded partners.
For information on where people who are struggling to access food can find help and support, visit: https://www.comicrelief.com/support/
Let’s Put Hunger To Bed By Richard Curtis:
Honestly, Dad – who ever knew That one day we’d be jealous of Winnie the Pooh? Dipping his paw in that big jar of honey I get it – just toast today – we’re short of money.
Mum says it’s “cost of living” wear and tear Now we all wish we were Paddington Bear. No, I get it – of course bills have to be paid. Just butter today – we’re out of marmalade.
No – I’m not hungry – well, maybe a bit. At least last year’s clothes still fit. Give the sausage roll to my sister - it’ll fill her. Today it’s my turn to be Hungry Caterpillar.
I’ve got a new trick – last thing at night I just rub my tummy – it makes it less tight. The Tiger Who Came to Tea ate all our jam I wish I was that kid with his Green Eggs and Ham. You’re turning off my light – it’s late - evening falls Let’s hope tomorrow’s Cloudy - with a Chance of Meatballs. And then – the dream I keep in my sleepy head Is that somehow – soon - we’ll put Hunger to Bed.
Censuswide survey
The research was conducted by Censuswide among a sample size of 2,010 parents of primary school-aged children across the UK, with 50% of respondents (1006) coming from low-income households, then weighted as 20% across the total sample, in line with nationally representative estimates. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. Censuswide adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles
About Comic Relief
Comic Relief is a UK charity that uses the power of entertainment and popular culture to work towards a vision of a just world free from poverty. We raise money to support organisations that are closest to the communities who can make change happen. We support work that will tackle the impact of poverty, injustice, conflict, and climate change in the UK and around the world.
Since launching in 1985, we have raised over £1.6 billion thanks to the huge generosity and kindness of the public and our partners.
For more information on our work, visit www.comicrelief.com(opens in new window) or follow @comicrelief on Facebook(opens in new window), Instagram(opens in new window), LinkedIn (opens in new window)and TikTok (opens in new window)for the latest content and news.
Comic Relief is the operating name of Charity Projects, registered charity in England & Wales (326568) and Scotland (SC039730).
About Sainsbury’s
Offering delicious great quality food at competitive prices has been at the heart of what we do since John James and Mary Ann Sainsbury opened our first store in 1869. Today, inspiring and delighting our customers with tasty food remains our priority and our purpose is clear – we make good food joyful, accessible and affordable for everyone, every day.
Our focus on great value food and convenient shopping, whether in-store or online is supported by our brands – Argos, Nectar, Tu Clothing, Habitat, Sainsbury’s Bank and Smart Charge. Sainsbury’s has almost 600 supermarkets and over 800 convenience stores. Argos is a leading digital retailer and is the third most visited retail website in the UK, with over 70 per cent of its sales starting online. Argos is conveniently available for customers to collect from hundreds of Sainsbury’s stores. Digital and technology enables us to adapt as customers shop differently and our profitable, fast-growing online channels offer customers quick and convenient delivery and collection capability.
