Bridging the gap to healthier eating
With the rising obesity rates in the UK, half of its food club members say that their diet has improved since joining The Bread and Butter Thing.
It’s National Obesity Awareness Week and the perfect opportunity to shout about the benefits of healthy eating and good old fruit and veg. With the UK facing rising obesity rates, Bread and Butter is proving that affordable access to fresh, nutritious food can make a profound difference. Our new data, 79% of our members say they now eat more fruit and vegetables —transforming both their diets and their lives.
These findings come as the government’s announce the development of a Food Strategy which will focus on the need to improve national diets and tackle food insecurity. Something we very much welcome as the strategy aligns closely with our mission: to provide low-cost, nutritious food directly to communities in need, making healthy eating accessible and enjoyable for all.
Government data shows that 64% of adults in England are overweight or obese, with 26% classified as obese. Recognising the urgent need for change, we deliver fresh, affordable food to 135 communities, supporting over 100,000 families across England. Our unique model not only combats food insecurity but also promotes healthier habits, with fresh fruit and vegetables making up nearly half of each food package.
Our CEO, Vic Harper highlights the challenges many members face: “Eating a balanced diet is key to staying healthy, but we understand how difficult it can be for people. Many of our members live in areas where healthy food options are limited to corner shops or takeaways. Add tight budgets and busy lives, and nutritious choices become even harder. That’s why we’re committed to bringing healthy food directly into the heart of communities. Healthy eating shouldn’t be a luxury—it’s something everyone deserves to enjoy.”
The benefits of Bread and Butter extend beyond physical health. Manchester student Nzara, a member at the St. Joseph’s hub, shares:
“Financially, I was struggling, and my relationship with food became strained. Fresh fruit and vegetables felt out of reach. Joining TBBT changed everything. The affordable produce motivated me to cook for myself again, which has improved my mental and physical health significantly.”
Kim, a Manchester pensioner and grandmother, agrees:
“I first heard about Bread and Butter from my Slimming World group leader. It’s not a food bank—anyone can join—and it’s a great way to get cheap, healthy food. I know firsthand how important it is to have access to nutritious food. It’s made a big difference to my energy and well-being.”
We applaud the government’s 2025 Food Strategy for prioritising equitable access to nutritious food. We work hard to help our members diversify their diets, try new foods, and rediscover the joy of cooking. With a low-cost membership model—starting at just £5 for a single bag of groceries—we make sure that healthy eating is not just aspirational but achievable.
