Does grocery have a moral responsibility to feed everyone?

The recent United Kingdom Food Security Report 2024 highlighted a deeply unsettling paradox.

First the good news. Despite recent geopolitical, climatic, and pandemic shocks – ranging from rising global temperatures to Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine – global food production has remained stable. In fact, food supply, measured in calorific terms per person, continues to rise.

Now the bad news. Alarmingly, the same report reveals the number of undernourished people around the world is actually increasing, rising from 541 million in 2017 to 733 million in 2023. That’s a 35% increase in just six years, suggesting availability alone is not the solution to global hunger.

UK food poverty

Turning our attention to the UK, the picture is no less troubling. While a large majority of households in the UK remain food-secure, that majority is slowly shrinking.

Between 2020 and 2023, the percentage of food-secure households declined from 92% to 90%. On the surface, that may seem a small dip. But with a UK household base of 28.4 million (ONS 2023), that 2% drop translates to over 550,000 more households experiencing food insecurity in just three years.

Even more concerning is the increasing reliance on food banks. According to the UK government’s Food Statistics in Your Pocket report (April 2025), the percentage of households using food banks rose from 3% in 2021/22 to 3.6% in 2023/24. While 0.6% may not sound drastic, it equates to over 150,000 more families in desperate need of basic nutrition.

Now layer in the shocking statistic that the UK throws away 9.5 million tonnes of food each year – enough to feed 30 million people – and the contrast becomes impossible to ignore. In a country where 8.4 million people live in food poverty, we are quite literally wasting food that could nourish those in need. This is not just an issue of supply and demand – it’s a systemic failure of redistribution, access, and collective responsibility.

So, here we are. In a society where food is abundant and supermarket shelves are full, we’re simultaneously seeing surging levels of obesity and increasing levels of food poverty. Over one-third of under-45s in the UK are now obese, yet families are going hungry and turning to food banks to survive. The irony is uncomfortable, and it demands a response.

The role of grocery

The challenge now rests with the grocery community: the producers, suppliers, distributors, and retailers who feed the nation. What role should they play in reversing these alarming trends? Too often, businesses assume these social issues fall outside their remit. But turning a blind eye is no longer acceptable. If we all wait for someone else to act, nothing will change.

That’s why leadership matters. It’s time for businesses – particularly those with influence and reach –  to step forward, take responsibility, and set a precedent. In a competitive industry, it’s not always easy to act collectively. But even if a few companies begin to integrate social purpose into their strategies, others will follow. These pioneering efforts can include food redistribution schemes, pricing strategies that support low-income families, and community outreach programmes to educate and assist.

This shift isn’t just about corporate social responsibility for its own sake. Building socially responsible plans doesn’t dilute business value, it enhances it. Consumers are increasingly choose brands that align with their values. Employees want to work for companies that do good. Investors are looking at ESG ratings more than ever before.

So, let’s ask again: if not you, then who?

The moral responsibility of the grocery community is clear. Not just to feed the nation, but to feed it fairly, ethically, and sustainably. And in doing so, lead the way toward a more just and food-secure future for all.

Patrick Finlay, MD at The Category Management Company