The foundation’s Broken Plate report looks at the trends impacting the UK’s food system and the actions needed from policymakers in order to ensure everyone can afford healthy and sustainable food.
Analysis of the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS’) consumer price index conducted by the University of Cambridge shows a stark disparity in the cost of healthy and less healthy foods, as defined by the Government’s Nutrient Profile Model.
The Government’s Eatwell Guide shows how much of what we eat overall should come from each food group to achieve a healthy, balanced diet.
The Food Foundation found that in 2024, healthier foods cost more than twice as much as less healthy options, averaging £8.80 per 1,000 kcal compared to £4.30 for less healthy foods.
The foundation noted that while this pattern has persisted for at least the past decade, the gap has widened in the past two years, with the price of more healthy foods rising by 21% between 2022 and 2024, while less healthy foods saw an increase of 11%.
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Analysts calculated that in order to afford this Government-recommended healthy diet, the most deprived fifth of the population would need to spend 45% of their disposable income on food, rising to 70% for those households with children.
While this metric has decreased from the peak of the cost-of-living crisis (50% in 2021-22), it remains higher than the previous year’s figure of 43% (recorded in 2020-21).
In comparison, the least deprived fifth of households only need to spend 11% of their disposable income to afford the Eatwell Guide.
‘Our food system is failing’
The study found more than a third (37%) of supermarket promotions on food and non-alcoholic drinks are for unhealthy items, and a quarter (26%) of places to buy food in England are fast-food outlets, rising to nearly one in three in the most deprived fifth of areas.
Anna Taylor, executive director of the Food Foundation, said: “The Broken Plate report sadly shows that our food system is failing to provide large swathes of the population with the basic nutrition needed for them to stay healthy and thrive.
“There is a tragic imbalance in the UK between the food that is marketed, available and affordable, and foods that are healthy and sustainable. Often, it is the most vulnerable children in our society who suffer the worst consequences of this.
“Not only can lack of nutrition lead to serious health conditions, it can also lead to children being unable to concentrate in school and have [a] lasting negative impact on mental health, entrenching inequalities from a young age.”
Sue Davies, head of food policy at Which?, said: “The Food Foundation’s research echoes our findings that around half (51%) of consumers find it harder to eat healthily now than before the cost-of-living crisis – with lower-income consumers particularly affected.
“Which? has repeatedly found that people want retailers and the Government to do more to support them in making healthier choices. Six in 10 (60%) consumers said they would support the Government introducing mandatory health targets for supermarkets.
“The Government must ensure that the national food strategy prioritises consumer interests, leads to a healthier, more sustainable system and supports those struggling to make ends meet. This should include introducing mandatory food targets, which would incentivise retailers to use the range of tactics available to them to create small but significant changes and make it easier for people to eat a balanced diet and lead healthier lives.”