5 tips: How to talk about food insecurity with your children this Christmas

It’s certainly a different holiday season this year, but many families are making the ‘most of it’ by focusing on the little things that matter – quality time with family, magical moments with children, and beautiful nutritious food. However, many are facing food insecurity this festive season, just like they do for the rest of the year….

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For some, the little things can become a big deal if they must go without. Like being able to put food on the table.

Sadly, one in five children may go hungry worldwide this Christmas. It’s startling because it’s not just another data point – it’s literally thousands of little tummies that need to be nourished and fed. Yet as the pandemic has put even more families at risk of food insecurity, new leaders have emerged – like Marcus Rashford – to bring this issue to the nation’s attention and remind us all of our ethical obligation to do more.

There are things we can be doing as individuals and organisations to help those less fortunate – from donating time or food to foodbanks to raising money for charities that help get food to those in need. But what can we do as parents? Especially as it becomes a topic of national conversation, educating our children about food insecurity is another important act; in fact, it really is a gift.

Here are some simple tips for how to engage your little ones on the subject this Christmas and beyond:

1. Take your time talking about food insecurity

Find time where there is enough space (and focus) for your kids to hear your words and ask questions. And recognise, this should not be a ‘one-and-done’ conversation. Approach this sensitive topic when it makes sense to you as a family throughout the entire year – perhaps during a meal or before bedtime.

2. Use a story

Stories are a great way to explain difficult topics to children. Share a story about someone – either in real life or a fictional character – who may go hungry this Christmas. Explain why they will not have food and ask your child how they feel about this. Explore their feelings, perhaps through their own artwork or story writing.

3. Use relatable objects to educate and explain

Dole UnstuffedBears (Worldwide)

Even a teddy bear can be a good prop. At Dole Packaged Foods, for example, they had a campaign that featured a plush teddy bear whose tummy is noticeably less full than the others. With Dole’s partnership with Save the Children, the UK public can help to feed nutritious food to these #UnstuffedBears and make an impact this Christmas season. Children can interact with the website’s “donation machine” and help fill the tummies of cute, cuddly teddy bears that represent hungry children everywhere.

4. Borrow from experts

Many organisations and charities have programs, videos and resources that can help children understand hunger. Take a look at Save the Children and FareShare UK to get started.

5. Look to your child’s school

Consider asking your children’s teachers if they are planning to discuss food insecurity in the classroom – then continue the discussion at home. If they are not planning anything, perhaps put a bug in their ear.

Educating the next generation about food insecurity early on and often is critical. Coupling this education with action is powerful. Through your education efforts, ask your children what small contribution they could make to help feed hungry tummies this Christmas and beyond. It could be selecting food from the house to donate to food banks or taking some money from their piggy banks to support a relevant charity. The more we know, the more we can act. The more we act, the more we can change the world.

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If you are looking for more articles on KiddyCharts focus on both chatting to your kids and food poverty, do take a look at these.

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Take care,

Helen

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