Don’t let the price of food stop you or your family from eating
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has reported that the overall price of food and non-alcoholic drinks in the UK went up by about 25% between January 2022 and January 2024.
Meanwhile, around 1 in 25 adults (4%) reported that their household had run out of food and could not afford to buy more.
But with a wide range of community fridges, food apps, food banks and charities available for individuals and families to get free, or low cost, fresh food from, the increasing price of food shouldn’t stop anyone from being able to get a healthy meal.
Trussel Trust
The Trussel Trust supports a nationwide network of 1,300 food banks and provides emergency food and other support to people most in need.
Fresh, in-date food is donated by the public at a range of places and is sorted into emergency food parcels, by more than 28,000 volunteers, to be given to people in severe need.
Health visitors, staff at schools and social workers identify people in crisis and give them a food bank voucher, which means they can receive three days’ non-perishable food from their local food bank.
Food banks can provide additional support including things such as debt advice, mental health support, or benefits advise.
Find your closest foodbank .
Community Fridge
More towns across the UK have the benefit of a Community Fridge, a service where locals donate food and reduce food waste.
There are over 600 fridges across the UK (and counting) and food donated to the fridge is free to take home.
Fridges – which are coordinated by environmental charity Hubbub – are open to all and anyone can share or take food, which includes surplus from local people, supermarkets, food businesses, producers, and gardens.
They are run by community groups in spaces such as schools, community centres and shops.
Find your local Community Fridge .
FoodCycle
In 2023, FoodCycle saved 239 tonnes of food from going to waste. Their aim is to make food waste, food poverty, and loneliness a thing of the past for every community.
The charity has a range of welcoming spaces for anyone in need of a hot meal, and you’ll find someone to have a chat with too. While meals are free, a small, pay-as-you-feel donation is welcomed, if you can afford it.
Find your nearest FoodCycle community space.
As well as the above charities, most local councils will have a list of local organisations providing food and meals in your community. Find your local council and search for food charities on their website.
Too Good To Go
Too Good To Go is a food waste-reducing app where you can buy fresh food that would have otherwise been thrown away because it hasn’t sold in time, for at least half the price.
Use the free app to find local restaurants, grocery stores, cafes and shops, offering ‘Surprise Bags’ of good food, such as unsold snacks, takeaway meals and ingredients, at a big discount.
Also, visit our cost of living support hub for more help and advice on where to get food, managing household bills, our Tenant Support Fund and more.
Finally, please don’t sit in silence, if you’re struggling to afford food on a daily basis and don’t know where your next meal is coming from, speak to your Neighbourhood Team, and ask for help.
