Help with food costs

On this page
Household Support Fund
Readifood food banks
Reading food pantries
The Food Surplus Project
Torch Hub
Save money on food
Healthy Start
Free school meals
Pet food and care
Veg4Reading

If you are urgently struggling to get a meal, there are local organisations that provide free food. No referral is needed to access their service.

Household Support Fund

Households struggling with soaring energy bills and food prices may be eligible for support through the Household Support Fund. There is an application based scheme for Reading residents on low incomes and those who are struggling to meet the rising cost of living.

Find out more about what support is available and how to apply on our Household Support Fund web page.

Readifood food bank

If you are struggling to pay for food, Reading’s food bank Readifood deliver emergency food parcels directly to homes or via agencies.

A professional organisation or charity must refer you for this service, for example someone at Reading Borough Council, Social Services, a doctor, school, or another professional agency. The Job Centre Plus are unable to make referrals. If you are not in touch with an organisation already, you can contact one of the local advice agencies.

Reading food pantries

Reading food pantries are run by Faith Christian Group. They are open to the community and local families for a small weekly subscription of £5. Members of a pantry can access food including fresh fruit and vegetables and store cupboard favourites that will often value £15-20 or more.

Find your local pantry

The Food Surplus Project

Whitley Community Development Association staff and volunteers have been working with local partners provide surplus food free to anyone who needs it.

The Food Surplus Project is open on a self-help basis – just pop along and take what you need. If you can make a small donation that would be very much appreciated as every penny is used to provide more food.

The Food Surplus Project, South Reading Community Hub, 252-262 Northumberland Avenue, Reading, RG2 7QA

View the Food Surplus Project opening times

Torch Hub

Torch Hub is an organisation promoting various food and drink events (free, priced and donation), hosted by local churches including seniors’ lunch (donation) and community night (free).

Dates, times and locations of events are on the Torch Hub website.

Email: help@torchhub.org.uk
Telephone: 0118 380 0260

Save money on food

The Too Good to Go app reduces food waste by making surplus, unsold food from supermarkets, cafes, restaurants and other retailers available to consumers at half price or less.

You may also be able to reduce your costs by:

• Shopping weekly and making a meal plan using up ingredients you already have, then making a shopping list of any missing items. Going shopping daily will make you spend more.
• Not shopping when hungry. This makes you likely to spend more, especially on less healthy foods, such as high-fat and sugary snacks.
• Being strict about buying only what you’ll actually eat. The average household throws away almost £40 of good food every month.
• Trying cheaper brands, you could save money by buying cheaper brands than you usually do as well as cutting back on luxuries.
• Looking up low cost recipes. There are plenty of websites that give you recipes for low cost tasty meals including using leftover ingredients.
• Making packed lunches for work/school rather than buying food when you are out.

Healthy Start

Get help to buy food and milk with Healthy Start.

If you get Universal credit, you can apply online if:

• you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or have at least one child under 4 years old
• your family’s monthly ‘take-home pay for this period’ is £408 or less from employment

If you get Child Tax Credit, you can apply online if:

• you have at least one child under 4 years old
• your family’s annual income is £16,190 or less

Free school meals

If you are receiving an income-based benefit (not including Working Tax Credit) you could receive free school meals. Contact your child’s school for more information and to apply.

Pet food and care

Pet food banks are available for those concerned about the cost of caring for and feeding their animals.

Find your local pet food bank

Visit the RSPCA website for pet owner advice and support with the cost of living.

Veg4Reading

Veg4Reading have many gardens across Reading. They run courses on how to grow food.