What to do if you can’t afford food

If you need to use a food bank you can get a referral from official sources like your child’s school, a doctor, social worker or your local:

• Citizens Advice EnglandOpens in a new window

• Citizens Advice WalesOpens in a new window

• Citizens Advice ScotlandOpens in a new window

• Advice NI in Northern IrelandOpens in a new window

You can find out where your nearest food bank isOpens in a new window on Trussell Trust.

Your local council can also put you in touch with charities and organisations who can give you a referral to a food bankOpens in a new window The council might be able to offer you vouchers or a grant to help you cover costs without visiting a food bank, so it’s well worth asking what’s available.  

If you can’t get a referral, you might still be able to visit a food bank. Check the map on Independent Food Aid Network to find the contact details of local charities and food banks near youOpens in a new window

Food banks will offer you a food parcel you’ll need to collect from the address given to you when you were referred. If you can’t get to a food bank because you live rurally, they might offer to deliver it to you.  

You usually need a referral to use a food bank, and some food banks will only allow you to be referred once, so you can’t rely on it as a long-term solution.  

If you can’t cover day-to-day costs, like food, you should check you’re claiming all the financial help you’re entitled to.

If you’re pregnant or caring for at least one child under 4, you might be able to join the Healthy Start schemeOpens in a new window This is a card loaded with credit that can be used in supermarkets towards formula, milk or healthy food like fruit and veg. The card is topped up every four weeks while you’re eligible.  

In Scotland, there’s a similar scheme called Best Start FoodsOpens in a new window for children under 3.  

The government has given funding to local councils to provide food for children who get free school meals during the summer, Easter and Christmas holidays. If your council hasn’t been in touch with you about this, use this council locatorOpens in a new window to find their contact details and ask for more information.  

Even though not all these places are giving away free food, they’re all much more affordable than a typical supermarket and can help you feed a family with very little money.  

Foodcycle (England only) offer completely free hot meals to people who need them on a weekly basis. All you need to do is turn up, you don’t need to book or be referred. You can find details of when and where you can get a free mealOpens in a new window in your local area on Foodcycle.

Community fridges are places you can go to collect free surplus food donated by local businesses. There are hundreds of community fridges across the country, and you can find out where your nearest one is and when it’s open on HubbubOpens in a new window

The Company Shop and Community ShopOpens in a new window are discount stores where members can buy surplus food from supermarkets for a fraction of the original price. You can become a memberOpens in a new window if you’re claiming means-tested benefits including Universal Credit or work in industries like the emergency services, manufacturing or for a charity. 

Pantries are similar to community fridges, but there is a small cost involved. For a few pounds a week you can fill your basket with food worth considerably more. You also don’t need to be referred to join, you can apply by visiting Your Local PantryOpens in a new window or going to your local Pantry in person.  

Feeding Britain has a list of affordable food clubs and other community programmesOpens in a new window if you can’t afford to buy food. You can find a map on their website.

Olio is a free appOpens in a new window where people and businesses can give away unwanted food. Once you’ve downloaded the app and chosen your local area you can see what’s being offered near you. You will need to collect any of the free food you claim, but there’s no referral needed, and no questions asked. It’s usually run on a first come first served basis, so you might want to turn on your notifications for the app.  

There might also be ‘Random acts of kindness’ or ‘Buy nothing’ Facebook groups for your local area where people can give away surplus food and other household items for free.

If you have a very limited budget to buy food, it’s best to focus on filling foods like pasta and rice, as well as tinned food that won’t go off quickly. Take a look at our guide to eating healthily on a budget