HOW do we bring an end to the need for food banks in the UK?

That’s the big question shoppers will be asked in Hexham on Saturday morning as church organisations build a debate around food poverty in Britain.

Members of the Justice and Peace group from the town’s St Mary’s Church and from Church Action on Poverty North East will be handing out paper plates and asking people to write on them their ideas for fairer shares for all.

Last September, the same Christian organisations asked passers-by ‘What are the key elements that make for a good society?’ and the 235 people who participated said their top priorities were a fair economy and decent, affordable homes for all.

The Justice and Peace group listened and duly went on to raise £1,500 for local charity Stop Gap, which provides supported housing and advice to local homeless and vulnerable people.

Spokeswoman Pat Devlin said: “Anyone who has been to our local food bank will know how generous the support of Tynedale people is.

“However, people are beginning to ask if in a fair economy and in an economy ranked in the top 10 in the world, whether it is right that people have to turn to food banks?

“People involved in food banks, breakfast clubs and fairshare food schemes up and down the country are asking the same question. So, supported by Child Poverty Action Group, Church Action on Poverty, Oxfam, Alliance for Better Food & Farming and 12 other national organisations, a ‘big conversation’ has been launched.

“And in Hexham Market Place we will be asking people to ‘step up to the plate’ as a first step towards developing a national strategy."