A THIRD of low income Islanders could be going without meals so that their dependents eat well, according to a report.

Others may turn to cheap junkfood to fill the hunger gap and few can afford the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

The shocking picture of food poverty on the Island emerged following a snapshot survey carried out in East Cowes by the Healthy Eating on a Low Income Forum (Heli).

The survey attempted to identify the degree of food poverty on the Island, which has the lowest annual average earnings in the UK, according to official figures.

Over 60 per cent of those interviewed had a weekly income of £100 or less after housing costs.

The survey revealed that the best village and communty stores compared well with supermarket prices. Local shops were often best for basic fresh produce such as apples and potatoes while supermarkets emerged on top for basics.

Speaking at a conference based around the findings of the survey, Maryse Plisnier from the Isle of Wight Rural Community Council said the average cost of a basic shopping basket - comprising baked beans, pasta, tinned tomatoes, milk, apples and washing-up liquid - came to £3.81 from supermarkets and £4.11 from village/convenience stores.

She said: "When we added all the cheapest prices for the shops and supermarkets, the latter were actually 6p more expensive."

Among other local initiatives designed to help combat local food poverty is the Crossways Community Garden Project in Ryde as well as the production of calendars packed with healthy economic recipes.

During the summer months, shoppers at Ryde's Wednesday market are able to buy some of the surplus fruit and vegetables that are produced in the gardens.

Sally Cavanagh of Sustain - the alliance for better food and farming - said that healthy food was more expensive and usually carried a 50 per cent price premium.

She said: "Low income families find that the only household expenditure that can be squeezed is the food budget.

"Getting to shops and supermarkets is also a problem with 48 per cent of people on benefits nationwide without cars."