Help with food

There are times when people struggle to afford food. Perhaps they've lost their job or have received an unexpected bill when on a low income. If you find yourself in this position, there is support available which could include:

Food banks

Food banks provide free emergency food parcels for those struggling to afford food. Depending on location, other help, such as support with benefits, housing, debt advice, fuel vouchers, applying for jobs and getting free phone credit/SIMs might also be available.

Some food banks will accept self-referral but others ask for a referral from a school, organisation or healthcare professional. They might also ask for proof of benefits.

Find your local Food Bank here.

Low-cost markets and pantries

Low-cost markets and pantries offer fresh and long-life food at a reduced cost to people on lower incomes or who can't afford full-priced food.

Some places will accept self-referral but others ask for a referral from a school, organisation or healthcare professional.

Find low cost food in your area here.

Emergency meals

If you are hungry and need to find somewhere to get a meal today, you can find day-by-day listings of where free meals are available here.

Get help to buy healthy food and milk

Pregnant women and families who have children under four years old may be entitled to get vouchers or payments every four weeks under the NHS Healthy Start scheme.

If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. This card will be topped up every 4 weeks for as long as you are eligible.

You can use your card to buy:

• plain liquid cow’s milk
• fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables
• fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
• infant formula milk based on cow’s milk

You can also use your card to collect:

• Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to 4 years old

Who is eligible?

You will usually qualify if you’re getting certain benefits and are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4.

If you are pregnant and under 18 you do not need to be in receipt of benefits to qualify.

If you are not a British citizen but have a child who is and is under 4 years old, you may qualify.

How does the scheme work?

Eligible families issued a pre-paid card which can be used in chip and pin machines at participating retailers. The card is automatically topped up every four weeks.

More information and how to apply

For more information on who can qualify and how to apply, visit Healthy Start

The NHS has answered some frequently asked questions

If you need support in understanding the scheme or making an application, you can speak to your midwife or your health visitor.

The FoodSavers Network offers high quality fresh and store cupboard food for a low weekly membership (usually £6).

Every time someone shops from the network, £1 of their membership fee is saved into a Credit Union savings account in their name. Membership might also give access to cookery classes, a rewards scheme or other benefits depending on location.

For more information, and to find your local network, visit the FoodSavers webpage.

The Nourishing Communities Voucher Scheme from InnChurches provides vouchers for those struggling to afford food, to purchase healthy fresh food in their local area and from Darley Street Market.

You may be able to get vouchers if you:

• Live in the Bradford district
• Are finding it financially hard to buy healthy food
• Haven't had vouchers from this scheme in the last 6 months.

For more information, including on how to access the vouchers, visit the Nourishing Communities webpage

The Free School Meals scheme provides a healthy and nutritious lunchtime meal every school day or children aged 5-16 years in families who receive certain benefits.

You can apply for Free School Meals if you receive:

• Income Support
• Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
• The 'Guarantee' element of the State Pension Credit
• Universal Credit and earn less than £7400 per year (this amount might change to reflect cost of living increases)
• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance.

To find out more and apply, visit the Bradford Council Free School Meals webpage.

If you are an asylum seeker, you'll need to speak to your school or the Bradford Education Access Team to apply.