Cash-First: Towards ending the need for food banks in Scotland Islands Communities Impact Assessment

Part 4 - Assessment of impact

The primary driver of food insecurity and food bank use across Scotland is understood to be insufficient and insecure income. While island communities have reported a lower overall prevalence of food insecurity, the nature and complexity of both financial and non-financial barriers to food in island settings will require consideration throughout the delivery of the Plan.

Some of the non-financial barriers identified in island communities such as limited access to affordable retail can also be experienced in rural mainland communities, for example in the Scottish Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, and Aberdeenshire. However, some factors such as transport disruption can be a heightened risk in island communities. While these barriers are not directly the focus of the actions identified in the Plan, providing delivery partners with flexibility to respond to local circumstances will help the Plan to better meet the needs of different communities across Scotland.