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1/ As the @bmj_latest's fundraising appeal for the UK's independent food banks ( @IFAN_UK) draws to a close, I'd like to draw your attention to an excellent series of articles & op-eds they've run.
Start with @tommoberly & @sabineegoodwin's piece https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/12/01/why-the-bmj-is-partnering-with-the-independent-food-aid-network-ifan-for-the-bmj-appeal-2020-21/
1/ As the @bmj_latest's fundraising appeal for the UK's independent food banks ( @IFAN_UK) draws to a close, I'd like to draw your attention to an excellent series of articles & op-eds they've run.
Start with @tommoberly & @sabineegoodwin's piece https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/12/01/why-the-bmj-is-partnering-with-the-independent-food-aid-network-ifan-for-the-bmj-appeal-2020-21/
2/ In the first of (I think) four articles, the health journalist @JaneFeinmann reported from @LegendaryCClub, @MicahLiverpool and @dadshouseuk about what independent food banks have stepped up to do as the #Covid19 pandemic has hit the UK https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/371/bmj.m4664.full.pdf
3/ In a second one, @JaneFeinmann interviewed Joyce Leggate from @kdyfoodbank and Jen Coleman from @bcfoodbank, both of whom I have learned a lot from in previous research. The piece also introduced @IFAN_UK's Cash First pilot. https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/371/bmj.m4758.full.pdf
4/ And in early January, @JaneFeinmann wrote another excellent piece with plenty of wise words from the indefatigable @Didara of @GranComKitchen and Dr Tamara Joffe, a GP serving that community in Kilburn, on structural change https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/372/bmj.m4959.full.pdf
5/ And then one more piece from @JaneFeinmann highlighting the academic insights of Dr Valerie Tarasuk of @proofcanada on what medics need to do to take on food insecurity, and flagging what the UK can learn from Canada's experience https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/372/bmj.n53.full.pdf
6/ On top of these articles, credit to @bmj_latest's opinions editor @Juliet_hd, for running a really great series of invited blog pieces, bang in the middle of a major health crisis, which suddenly worsened as the fundraising got underway.
7/ The excellent @CovidRealities research team of @ruthpatrick0, @KA_Garthwaite, @madeleinepower and others' piece say it well. It shouldn't have taken a global pandemic to get us to talk about everyday hardship, but we certainly can't avoid it now. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/12/21/covid-19-and-everyday-experiences-of-hardship-why-charitable-provision-is-not-enough/
8/ Helen Crawley from @1stepsnutrition Trust sets out well in a piece the efforts of @IFAN_UK to push for structural change. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/01/20/the-hungry-legacy-of-2020-shows-why-we-need-the-independent-food-aid-network-in-2021-and-beyond/
9/ I've used the word 'indefatigable' already. So I can't use it again. There's a great piece there by the irrepressible @LindsayGrahamUK on the links between health, social security, food, poverty and a decent standard of living. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/01/26/lindsay-graham-eradicating-food-poverty-it-is-our-duty-to-care-and-to-advocate/
10/ There's a really excellent contribution by @r_oconnell & @juliabrannen on the impact of food poverty on children and young people, and how they must be at the heart of an intergenerational strategy to build better structures for the future. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/01/29/young-people-in-food-poverty-a-lost-generation/
11/ I was genuinely touched when @IFAN_UK Coordinator @sabineegoodwin asked me to contribute a piece on @HRW's behalf to the series, and pleased to chip in. I have learned so much from IFAN's members across the UK. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/01/29/kartik-raj-uks-independent-food-banks-a-lifeline-in-a-year-of-crisis/
12/ Finally, I was pleased to hear that the @bmj_latest fundraiser, #TheBMJAppeal, managed at last count to raise £53K for @IFAN_UK - and I imagine more by now - paying for much needed PPE, top up of food supplies running low, and more https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n227.full.pdf
13/ It's an incredible effort. 
@bmj_latest & @IFAN_UK. I really hope the sustained exposure of UK food poverty in a publication of this stature makes a difference in changing opinions, policies and the social welfare structures in the country. /END
@bmj_latest & @IFAN_UK. I really hope the sustained exposure of UK food poverty in a publication of this stature makes a difference in changing opinions, policies and the social welfare structures in the country. /END
