New EU deal could make food cheaper

Families are feeling the squeeze as food inflation hit its highest level in 18 months last month. Prices for everyday staples like butter, eggs and chocolate jumped by 4.2% in August, piling more pressure on already stretched household budgets.

But there could be some good news. The government has agreed a new deal with the EU to cut down on border checks for imports such as meat, fish, fruit and veg. That means supermarkets should face lower costs - savings that could filter through to shoppers.

The changes could save businesses up to £200 per lorry load and boost the UK economy by £5.1 billion a year.

What this means for your money

• Fresher food – fewer delays at the border should mean produce reaches shelves quicker
• Cheaper bills – lower costs for supermarkets could reduce prices over time
• More jobs – new investments in logistics and warehousing

While critics say the deal gives too much control back to Brussels, for many families what matters most is whether it makes the weekly shop more affordable.

What to do if you’re struggling to afford food

If rising prices mean you’re worried about putting food on the table, you’re not alone – and there is help available:

Food banks – If you can’t afford groceries, local food banks can provide emergency parcels. You’ll usually need a referral from a registered charity, your GP, your child’s school or a support worker. Find your nearest at Trussel Trust.

Household Support Fund – Councils across England receive money from the government to help struggling households. The fund is distributed at a local level, so what support you receive depends on what your council has decided to do. Some provide cash to help with essentials, while others offer supermarket vouchers. Contact your local council to apply.

Community food schemes – Projects like The Bread and Butter Thing and local community grocers offer food at heavily reduced prices if you’re on a low income. Check your local council’s website to find your local scheme or use platforms like Your Local Pantry or Community Grocery to find pantries or grocers in your area. You can also look for local food redistribution schemes that work with community centres, charities, or churches.

Apps and discount schemes – Apps like Too Good To Go and Olio let you pick up leftover supermarket and restaurant food for pennies or even free.

Supermarket support – Many chains run schemes offering free kids’ meals in cafés or loyalty card discounts. For example:

• Asda – kids eat for £1 in its cafés, all day, every day, with no minimum adult spend.
• Morrisons – kids eat free when an adult buys a meal worth £4.49 or more.
• Tesco – kids eat free during school holidays if an adult buys something in the café (and Clubcard holders often get extra offers).
• Sainsbury’s – runs regular “kids eat for £1” café deals and discounts for Nectar card holders.
• Iceland – has previously offered free kids’ meals in partnership with The Food Warehouse and money-off vouchers for loyalty card users.
• Co-op, Lidl and Aldi – don’t usually have cafés, but their loyalty apps (like Lidl Plus and Aldi Savers) often give you money-off coupons on essentials.

It’s always worth checking your local supermarket’s website or app for the latest offers, as these deals can change month to month.