Momentum on Thursday expressed serious concern that, despite record levels of economic growth, rising GDP and decreased unemployment, more Maltese families were finding it difficult to afford basic food and essentials.
In a statement marking World Food Day, the party said that according to government data, over 17,500 families were eligible for food support under the state-funded Food Distribution Scheme in 2023, a significant increase from previous years.
At the same time, foodbank organisations report distributing hundreds of food bags every week to people in urgent need across Malta and Gozo.
Last year, 17% of Malta's population was living in or at risk of poverty, representing nearly 90,000 people, the party said, adding that food prices continued to rise, with the cost of a typical family food pack increasing year over year.
"These figures are deeply troubling. While Malta's GDP continues to rise year after year, the lived reality for too many families is one of financial strain and uncertainty. The success of a country cannot be judged only by its economic numbers but by whether its people can live with dignity," general secretary Mark Camilleri Gambin said.
Not having enough money to buy food was one of the most serious indicators of inequality and social exclusion, he added.
"We believe that no one in Malta should ever have to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table. That is why we have proposed a Decent Minimum Living Wage of €360 per week".
He added that, additionally, Malta had a strong dependency on the food supply chain, with around 80% of our food now being imported.
Helping farmers and protecting our farmland now becomes even more important than ever, he said.
A clear commitment to farmers, herdsmen, fishermen, consumers: PN
In a separate statement also marking World Food Day, the PN reaffirms its commitment to supporting those who work in the agricultural and fisheries sectors - farmers, herdsmen, and fishermen who keep Malta's food production sector alive.
The PN said it believes that every consumer has the right to buy good-quality products at the best possible price, while producers must be given all the necessary support to ensure their work remains sustainable by narrowing the income gap between agricultural and fisheries activities and other forms of income.
The party reiterated its commitment to:
"The PN believes that the value of food begins at its source and extends all the way to the table, and that with stronger cooperation between producers and consumers, we can ensure a more sustainable future for the food supply chain in Malta and Gozo," party spokespeople Toni Bezzina and Graziella Galea said.