Whiteness, racism and colourblindness in UK food aid

Abstract

Chapter 5 considers how race and ethnicity influence food charity in the UK. It describes manifestations of race and racism in US community food movements, drawing upon the commentaries of American social scientists Julie Guthman and Rebecca de Souza, and considers systemic ethnic and racial inequalities in socio-economic status and in food security in the UK. It argues that, in the light of socio-economic inequalities between ethnic groups, black and minority ethnic individuals might be expected to be over-represented among those seeking emergency food aid in the UK, compared to white people. Informed by primary research in Bradford and York, the chapter in fact reveals an under-representation of black and minority ethnic individuals in some forms of food aid. In considering the reasons for this under-representation, it describes the performative power of ‘whiteness’ in some food charities and the, associated, stigmatisation of ethnic minorities and poor whites.