Food banks
How is FoodCycle different from food banks?
FoodCycle community meals bring people together for good food and conversation. We serve up free, wholesome meals made from food that would have gone to waste.
Our meals are prepared by volunteers and open to everyone. But FoodCycle is about more than food – we create a cycle of positive change. Reducing food waste and hunger, tackling loneliness, supporting mental health, encouraging healthy eating and sustainable living.
FoodCycle is different from food banks.
Food banks provide food parcels for people to take home to cook and eat.
At FoodCycle we run community meals, which means we invite people to come inside, sit down and enjoy a tasty, nutritious meal with us. Local volunteers cook up wholesome veggie meals using food that would have gone to waste.
But FoodCycle meals are about more than food. We create a space to chat, meet new friends, as well as enjoy a free cooked meal.
Some food banks might ask for a referral or voucher, at FoodCycle you don’t need to prove you need the food. People come for lots of different reasons, some come for the food, some come for the company. Just turn up and they’ll be a seat for you.
We are open to everyone, whatever your background, faith or identity.
We’ll also send you home with a food parcel if we have any extra food.
How do I volunteer for a food bank near me?
One of the ways to help charity food banks is to donate when you do your regular shop at a supermarket. Many supermarkets will have a box for customers to put food bank donations in.
Volunteers in food banks do things like preparing and distributing food parcels and driving to collect stock.
To find out more about how to volunteer for your local food bank, you could ask at your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau or just search online for your nearest food bank.
How do I find a food bank near me?
One of the first places to find a food bank is to ask at your local Citizens Advice Bureau. There are also a number of different charity food banks, and independent food banks which you can find online.
These websites may be a good place to start:
Find a Food Bank – The Trussell Trust
Find a Food Bank — Bankuet ®
Independent food banks map – Independent Food Aid Network UK
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