SDLP Ballyarnett councillor Catherine McDaid
Belfast voted to become a Right to Food city last month following an SDLP motion.
It follows cities like Liverpool and Manchester who supported the Right to Food campaign started by Labour MP Ian Byrne.
Said Councillor McDaid: “Since becoming a councillor this year I have prioritised measures that will make a real difference to people living in our city and district.
“From creating safe spaces for victims of domestic violence to introducing Right to Food status for Derry and Strabane, I and the SDLP will continue to look out for those being let down in our society.
“There is a huge need that exists within our city. Foodbank use is spiralling and more and more people are unable to adequately feed themselves and their families.
“People of all ages are under pressure due to the cost of living emergency and finding it increasingly harder to get by.
“The Right to Food campaign recognises that nobody should be going hungry and I believe it would send a powerful message of solidarity if we join with Belfast and cities in Britain to ask council and Stormont to place focus on measures like universal free school meals, support for community kitchens, and pursuing the right to food through legislation.
“I’ve been speaking to hard-working families living in borderline poverty from across our district, parents who can’t afford to put basic food on the table, never mind eat healthily.
“We have a responsibility to treat them with respect and fairness, instead of perpetuating stigma and that’s why I’m bringing this motion before council this week.”
Councillors will debate a motion proposing Right to Food status for Derry this Wednesday, November 22.
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