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May 01, 2020 The distribution of food from British food banks to people in need has increased sharply due to the new coronavirus pandemic. This was announced by several industry associations.

The Trussell Trust, which manages 1,200 food banks across the country, experienced an unprecedented 81% year-on-year increase in parcel distribution activity during the last 2 weeks of March. The increase was even 122% for children's food, the Ifan (Independent Food Aid Network) which recorded a 59% increase between February and March. 

These associations such as the Child Poverty Action Group or the Joseph Rowntree Foundation welcome measures to increase subsidies to the poorest or avoid layoffs, but warn that they will not be enough because poverty was already on the rise before the pandemic. "It is not fair that so many people have to turn to the food stalls. Families with children are particularly affected and don't have the means they need to survive," said Helen Barnard, head of the Joseph Rowntree foundation that fights poverty.