Food insecurity
No one should go hungry or have to rely on emergency food aid.
We are working to tackle food insecurity, and end the need for people to turn to food banks.
Cash-first approach
In 2023, we published the Cash-first: towards ending the need for food banks in Scotland plan.
The plan set out 9 actions to be taken between 2023 and 2026. These actions aimed to support people facing food insecurity and recognised the need to treat people with dignity and respect.
One of the actions of the plan was a new Cash-First Programme, to improve urgent access to emergency income for people who have no money for food.
An interim evaluation of the programme was published in July 2025. A final evaluation report is expected by summer 2026. The findings will help identify further measures to work towards our longer-term ambition of a Scotland without the need for food banks.
Infant food insecurity toolkit
We have published an infant food insecurity toolkit for people working with families with money worries, including those who are struggling to afford infant formula.
The toolkit promotes cash-first approaches to help people feed their babies, by providing cash payments or equivalents like shopping vouchers.
If you need help to access food and other essentials
If you are struggling financially you should contact your local council, a local advice service, or Social Security Scotland as well as checking our cost of living website for advice.