“I can purchase 20 items from the pantry for only £5 and I used to spend £40 a week before”
Food clubs are popping up all over the UK but what is all the fuss about?
They work a bit differently than food banks. Food banks are there to offer emergency food support to those of us in crisis. They typically require a referral.
Food clubs, on the other hand, are spaces where we can access affordable food. Heather from Family Action says: “A food club is an option that people can use to top up their shopping and can come again and again.”
How do they work?
Charities collect surplus food from retailers and deliver it to food clubs nationwide. Local volunteers then sell it for a small fee at community spaces like libraries, church halls, and schools.
Not all food clubs are the same. Some might offer veg boxes while others allow us to select what we want and pay for items separately. They usually require a small membership fee in return, which can vary. Family action, for example, offers annual memberships for just £1.
Savings
Feeding Britain and Your Local Pantry say their members save an average of £21 per visit.
One of their members said: “The pantry helps me a lot because I am a single mum, and I am not working due to health issues. I ended up with no money at the end of the month because I spent lots on food shopping for me and my daughter. I can purchase 20 items from the pantry for only £5 and I used to spend £40 a week before … I can save some money for emergencies.”
Other perks
Unlike food banks, food clubs are places people return to regularly. We get to know each other by name and build real relationships.
While topping up our weekly shop, we can also get support with things like benefits or debt. There are often food-related activities too, like cooking classes or nutrition advice.
Find a local Food Club
We can use the Food Club maps below to find the nearest one.
Across the UK: Feeding Britain and Your Local Pantry Across England and Wales: Family Action
Image: ronstik / Shutterstock
