A composite index formed of data compiled across seven different dimensions relating to food insecurity risk for the four nations in the UK. This version (Version 2.1, July 2024) reflects changes to the data and policy landscape which are detailed in the user guide below.

The Priority Places for Food Index (https://priorityplaces.cdrc.ac.uk/) is constructed using open data to capture complex and multidimensional aspects of food insecurity risk. The index was initially developed in response to the 2022 cost of living crisis which has put many of our communities under severe financial pressure and at an increased risk of food insecurity. Building on the CDRC e-food desert index (EFDI), but with additional domains relating to fuel poverty and family food support, the goal of the Priority Places for Food Index is to identify neighbourhoods that are most vulnerable to increases in the cost of living and which have a lack of accessibility to cheap, healthy, and sustainable sources of food.

From version 1 to version 2, data have been updated across several of the seven PPFI domains. This includes new area socio-demographics, foodbank, and food retailer location data. Data relating to Free School Meal eligibility has also been updated to reflect the changing policy landscape and to address regional inconsistencies in policies. Areas may look different to version one as a result of the new data incorporated or changes to neighbourhood boundaries. Because of these data changes we recommend that you don’t make comparisons between the versions.

The index can be used to inform supermarket location analytics, improve the availability of budget food lines, and to ensure scare resources are targeted effectively.

Note Subject to the Department of Health and Social Care making a statement highlighting inaccuracies in the Healthy Start Uptake data between July 2023-February 2024, we have updated Version 2 of the Priority Places for Food Index (PPFI). Version 2.1 of the PPFI replaces the October 2023 uptake of Healthy Start Vouchers values with the average voucher uptake between January and June 2023 to minimise the impact on the Priority Places for Food Index insights.