Conceptualising food banking in the UK from drivers of use to impacts on health and wellbeing: a mixed studies systematic review and directed content analysis

Food banks have become commonplace in the UK as an emergency response to food insecurity. Yet, their inability to provide a long-term solution has been criticised. Given that the cost of living crisis has left even more people food insecure, there is an urgent need to conceptualise food banking in the UK, exploring the full landscape from drivers of use to impacts on wellbeing. This systematic review considered three important research questions in the UK context: why are individuals experiencing food insecurity turning to food banks?; what are the limitations of the current food bank model?; and what are the impacts of such a model on the wellbeing of food bank clients? Empirical, peer-reviewed articles written in English with a UK food bank context and reporting data directly relevant to at least one research question were eligible for inclusion. In total, 221 titles were identified using four databases (Web of Science, SCOPUS, PubMed, CINHAL Plus) in July 2022. After screening, the final sample consisted of 41 mixed studies articles, which were quality assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data were extracted and analysed through directed content analysis, in which theory is used to derive analytic themes. Each of the three research questions was represented in 29 studies respectively. Failures of market and government were widely reported to drive food bank use. Inherent insufficiencies, and paternalistic and particularistic tendencies represented key limitations of the food bank model. Negative health and psychological impacts of food bank use were widely reported, yet social impacts were largely positive. Consequently, new solutions are needed to promote positive health and psychological impacts for food bank clients in the UK. Further examination of these results across other higher income countries should be recommended.