Hungry children are using secret handshakes with youth workers to let them know there is no food at home.
The method allows kids to discreetly ask for any spare food at the end of youth club sessions so they can help feed their siblings, said Councillor Mariam Khan at a cost of living conference in Birmingham today.
The city council 's cabinet member for health and social care also warned that thousands of families are "struggling to live" and being forced to make "unsafe choices", reports Birmingham Live.
