Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood has lead a debate in the Senedd on the increasing number of people going hungry in Wales.
During her speech, the AM for South Wales Central will upon the Welsh Government to collaborate with the burgeoning Foodbank network to ensure they reach everybody that needs their help.
The foodbank distributes packages containing three days of nutritionally-balanced, non-perishable, produce to people in an emergency crisis.
There are now 16 foodbanks in Wales and there are plans to add another 24 over the next three years after the network secured funding from the Big Lottery fund.
Existing foodbanks have experienced a surge in demand in recent months. For example, the Cardiff Foodbank is twice as busy compared to this time last year.
Ms Wood said: “I called for this debate because there needs to be more awareness that there are people in Wales today who are going hungry because they cannot afford the basics in life.
“I have mixed feelings about the foodbanks. On the one hand I am appalled that there is a need for them, but a need there certainly is as demonstrated by the network’s significant expansion just to meet demand.
“While foodbanks are largely reliant on the generosity of the public in donating produce, there are practical steps the Welsh Government can take to assist the network.
“I understand there are problems establishing foodbanks in rural areas because of the distances they need to cover. I would like the Welsh Government to look into the possibility of providing some sort of funding to allow the foodbank network to reach anyone that needs their help.
“They could also help to make them more self-sufficient by helping them become social enterprises with their own income stream. Capitalising on the demand for allotment land will also help alleviate the problem as surplus produce could be put on sale at low prices.”
Ms Wood added: “The hunger problem will not go away. I call upon this Welsh Government to do all it can to tackle the causes of hunger and poverty while supporting those who are doing their best to prevent people from sinking.”
