Since the financial crisis of 2008, food bank usage has been on the rise.

Once dubbed “American style food banks” by the media, they are now commonplace all across the UK - a concept once alien to the average Brit is now a lifeline for many.

Food banks survive on donations, mostly of non-perishable goods such as tinned food and dried pasta.

In Kent, food bank usage has seen a huge increase in usage since the beginning of the pandemic, and is expected to rise again as the cost of living in the UK continues to rise.

Increased energy bill fees, inflation and National Insurance rises will all contribute to more people needing to rely on support, according to one food bank manager.

Esther Hurwood, project manager of Swale's Trussell Trust food bank, said: "We're hearing lots from very worried people, some who have never used a food bank before, feeling really ashamed and embarrassed about having to come to a food bank but having no option because their energy bills have already gone up."

She added: "It's hard to see an end to this, hard to see a plateau of any kind anytime soon unfortunately. I wish there was."

So what is it like to live off the contents of a food bank parcel?

Iliffe Media reporters Eve Tawfick and Jenny Beake ate exactly the same diet as a single person receiving a food bank package, to try and get an understanding of what the experience is like for thousands of people below the poverty line.

The list mostly consists of tinned goods, 500g of pasta or rice, two pieces of fruit, two treats and something called ‘pot luck’ – which could be anything from flour to bread.

Each person is given one carton of UHT milk and one carton of juice.

Eve said: “Laying the food out, it seems such a small amount for a week, and although it expands into all five food groups, portion sizes will be significantly reduced to make it last.

“For the first day, I decided to have spam on toast for breakfast, so I wouldn’t use all of my milk for the cereal.

“Bread isn’t on the list, but I chose it as a pot-luck item, due to the lack of carbs.

“I don’t know what I would have done without the bread, as the pasta was finished within two days.

“The one tin of fish served as dinner for one day and lunch for another, and the two tins of spam lasted three days.

“Not even halfway through the week and the meat supply had run out.

“After several cups of tea I began to become concerned about how long the milk was going to last, and found myself weighing up whether it would be more beneficial to use the milk in cereal.

“The fruit was gone within a day, as two small pieces of fruit isn’t going to cover the Government-recommended five a day.

“I had a jar of pasta sauce but no pasta to put it on.

“By the third day, I was heating up lentils and using the tin of custard for dessert.

“My energy was low and I started to feel lethargic. Time to use the rest of the milk for a cup of tea?

“I used my two apple pies, which were in the treat category, as an attempt to feel full between meals.”

Reporter Jenny Beake said: “The supply consisted of what I would normally say is stock items – even as a worker I have had to make sacrifices with food and choice.

“With this there was a definite lack of fresh produce and I felt limited in what I could bring in for lunch.

“Being mindful of a healthy lifestyle choice and control are important in people’s daily welfare.”

Eve said: “The experience served to highlight the privileges I take for granted.

“When you are deprived of nutritional choice, each food decision you make can pave the way for a future lack.

“You find yourself mentally dividing a tin of tuna, dithering between breakfast cereals and beverages, coming up with infinite combinations of spam surprise.

“Thousands of Britons are living this way, working over 40 hours a week.

“With the increase in food costs and bills, thousands more will have to join the queue in the coming months.

“Food banks work tirelessly to supply people with as much as they possibly can, including toiletries.

“Without them, many would struggle to survive.”

Both Eve and Jenny agreed that just a few days of living on the food bank packages was a real eye-opener.

It left them hungry and fatigued and made them question the way so many people are having to live their lives today in what is supposed to be one of the richest economies in the world.

Garry Lemon, policy director at the Trussell Trust, said: "The recent announcements on record energy bill increases have sent shockwaves throughout the country.

"The government’s package of measures might cushion the blow for some, but it’s not enough to protect people who already need a food bank.

"With inflation reaching a thirty year high, our social security system is at breaking point and essential costs across the board are rising rapidly. Overall inflation is only set to increase further this spring.

"To truly help people hardest hit the government must bring benefit payments in line with the expected cost of living this April, or risk pushing more people through the doors of food banks. This means increasing payments by at least 6% instead of the planned 3.1%."