Restos du coeur, social grocery stores or soup kitchens: the 3.2 to 3.5 million people in France who have recourse to food aid are among "
the poorest of the poor
", often forced to deprive themselves to better feed their children, says an INSEE study published on Tuesday.
These beneficiaries have an average standard of living of 637 euros per month, significantly less than the 877 euros received on average by all households living below the poverty line, details the Institute for Statistical Studies.
And the precariousness is even more marked for the 14% of beneficiaries who have no personal accommodation - they live in hostels, hotels or on the street -: they have only 435 euros per month to live on, on average .
Food insecurity
Thus, while 10% of the population in metropolitan France is an immigrant (i.e. born abroad with a foreign nationality), this proportion rises to 22% among poor households and 44% among beneficiaries. food aid.
And again, "
this part is underestimated
" in the study since it only includes people who have recourse to food aid and are able to answer a questionnaire in French, observe the authors.
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This work, presented by INSEE as a "
snapshot at a given time
" of food aid recipients, was carried out from November 15 to December 10, 2021. Over this period, the number of people using this type of assistance was evaluated at 1.2 million, or 3.2 to 3.5 million beneficiaries, including their families.
Since then, food insecurity has worsened due to inflation which is hitting the poorest hardest, say the Restos du Coeur, one of the main French associations for food aid to the poorest.
Thus, since April, the number of beneficiaries has jumped by 12% and their difficulties have increased, says the association which launched its 38th annual campaign on Tuesday.