A NATIONWIDE protest against food poverty is set to take place on Saturday, organised by the People’s Assembly Against Austerity.

Around Britain thousands of people have been asked to noisily bang pots and pans, demanding an end to widespread hunger in one of the world’s richest nations.

The charitable Food Foundation reported in January that more than one in five UK households — 22 per cent — had skipped meals, gone hungry, or not eaten for a whole day.

Andrew Williams, a Cardiff University lecturer who works in a food co-op and has been researching foodbanks since 2014, said: “The latest evidence shows that 11,000 people were admitted to hospital with malnutrition last year.

“Cases of malnutrition have quadrupled since 2007-8. 

“In the same period charitable foodbanks have become a permanent feature and levels of food insecurity show no signs of receding. There is an urgency now, as it was in 2007, to come up with solutions.”

Protest organiser Adam Johannes from Cardiff People’s Assembly said: “There are now more food banks in Britain than branches of McDonald’s.

“In the last few weeks at least one Welsh foodbank reported literally running out of food, and others fear the same. Meanwhile food prices are rocketing while supermarket chains rake in profits. Things can’t go on like this.”

The People’s Assembly has issued a call for action which includes food price controls and an end to profiteering,

In a message of support, Cynon Valley Labour MP Beth Winter said: “People should not be left struggling to eat in one of the richest countries in the world.”

For more information about the demonstrations visit  https://thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/peoples-assembly-against-food-poverty/