A recent study from the University of Sheffield has found that lower-income families living in rural Britain are increasingly struggling to access affordable, healthy food.
Researchers discovered that while just 7% of lower-income households in deprived urban areas lived more than a 20-minute walk from a shop selling fresh produce, the figure rose dramatically to 52.5% in rural communities.
The report highlights how rising food and energy costs, the closure of village shops, limited public transport and supermarket logistics systems focused on urban centres are combining to increase food insecurity in the countryside.
The research was based on a survey of more than 14,000 households across England and Scotland earning under £40,000 annually.
The study calls for a national review of areas with poor access to affordable food, particularly in rural, coastal and post-industrial communities. It also recommends greater support for low-cost retail initiatives including food clubs and social supermarkets.