This is Rigged protesters stage sit-in at Palace of Holyroodhouse over food insecurity

Protesters have staged a sit-in against food insecurity at the Palace of Holyroodhouse royal dining room in Edinburgh.

This Is Rigged campaigners carrying flags and banners entered the King’s official residence in Scotland on Monday afternoon.

The group is demanding that supermarkets cut the price of baby formula and that the Scottish Government “fully fund and implement a community food hub per every 500 households in Scotland”.

It comes after a protest against rising food prices was held in Glasgow on Sunday.

Nine campaigners entered the palace around 1.15pm on Monday, carrying banners with the slogans translating to “the people are mightier than a lord” and “change begins in the kitchen, not the boardroom”.

The area was temporarily closed to the public but reopened shortly before 2pm.

Protesters are calling for action on food insecurity. This Is Rigged

Josephine O’Connor, 22, a student based in Glasgow and one of those taking part, said: “I’m taking action because I’m really worried about the future. As the many crises that we are facing are continuing to worsen, it becomes more apparent that those with power are not coming to help, that profit once again reigns higher than people. That this is in our hands…we need to speak up and take up space because it is our future.”

This Is Rigged has said they will “reclaim” spaces if the Scottish Government fails to provide communities with a warm place to get a nutritious meal.

Jasmin Robertson, 19, a student and grower from the Highlands added: “Our food system is something that connects us all, but it has become so fragile in the hands of profiteering corporations.

“It’s time we make space around the table for people, and invest in communities, in a food system that is equal and just, that doesn’t let individuals profit from collective struggle. The Scottish Government have to stick to their promises of a ‘Good food Nation’, it’s time we take back the power from corporate greed.”

Sorcha Ní Mháirtín, 30, a community food worker from Ireland and based in Glasgow, added: “Access to good food is a human right. The cost of food has risen dramatically, meaning many in Scotland face huge challenges in accessing appropriate food. I want the government to take notice and to better fund social infrastructures that support people to access food in a dignified manner.”

This Is Rigged is asking the Scottish Government to meet with them to discuss the implementation of community food hubs, which is part of their demands centred around the cost of living crisis to establish these hubs per 500 households.

The campaign group has vowed to escalate their actions until their redistributive demands are met.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 1.15pm on Monday, 19 February, we received a report of a protest in a room open to the public at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh.

“Officers attended but the protestors had left. No damage has been reported at this time but enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”

The Royal Collection Trust has been contacted for comment.