Food banks

How is FoodCycle different from food banks?

Food banks are places where people can get food and other essential things for free. They are a bit like supermarkets, but everything is free for people who can’t afford to buy it. The food and other items in food banks is donated by other people and organised by a community group or charity.

There are around 2,000 food banks in the UK.

Often, people need a referral in order to use a food bank from an organisation that assesses their level of need. People who want to use a food bank usually need to provide information about their financial circumstances to show they need help.

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 hot, nutritious meal with us. Our three-course meals are cooked and served by friendly volunteers in a safe and welcoming environment.

Our weekly community dining service is free to everyone and not only helps tackle food poverty but it also helps alleviate loneliness by bringing the community together.

Unlike many food banks, at a FoodCycle community meal no-one is asked to prove that they need free food. We just provide a warm welcome, a delicious three-course meal and good company. We’ll also send you home with a food parcel if we have any extra food.

We’re glad you asked! We always need people to help us cook tasty meals and provide a warm welcome. We have lots of fun and flexible roles and you’ll be helping your local community.