Find local food support that won’t break the bank | Tenant news

In an era of rising living costs, keeping a family fed on a tight budget can feel like an uphill struggle, but… did you know that your local community is likely home to a support network designed to ensure no one goes hungry?

By using food banks, community larders, and local charities, Habinteg tenants can significantly reduce their weekly outgoings while maintaining a healthy diet.

Local support options

The first step to saving money is knowing where to look. While many people are familiar with food banks, which typically provide emergency parcels via a voucher system (often from GPs or Citizens Advice), there are other ‘open access’ options:

• Community fridges and larders: These are often run by volunteers and stocked with surplus food from supermarkets. Unlike food banks, they are usually open to everyone for a small donation or a nominal membership fee, allowing you to pick up fresh produce, bread, and chilled items. Find your closest fridge.
• Social supermarkets: These shops sell heavily discounted food that is nearing its best-before date but is perfectly safe to eat. This is an excellent way to stretch a small budget further than a traditional supermarket ever could. Find your local social supermarket.

Plan for success

To make the most of the items you receive, a bit of forward planning is essential.

Food parcels often contain staples like pasta, rice, and tinned vegetables. Use these as your base and look for local charities that provide fresh top-up bags.

If you have a large family, focus on batch cooking. Ingredients like lentils and beans, often found in foodbank parcels, are excellent for bulking out meat dishes like bolognese or stews, making them go twice as far and add a healthy source of plant protein and fibre.

Overcoming the stigma

It’s important to remember that these services exist specifically to help people through difficult financial patches.

Using a food charity isn't just about getting help - it’s about being part of a sustainable community cycle that prevents perfectly good food from going to waste.

Organisations like FareShare and the Felix Project play a key role in this, redistributing surplus food through a network of charities and community groups so it reaches people who need it most.

Many people find that once they visit a community kitchen or larder, they discover a welcoming environment and even opportunities to volunteer.

While finding affordable food is a priority, managing what happens to your waste is just as vital for a healthy neighbourhood.

Remember, your community is there to help you, so don't hesitate to reach out.

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