Accessing food banks and community food hubs
To access a food bank, you may need food bank vouchers, which you can get by speaking to council staff, social workers, children's centres, GP surgeries, and advice charities.
Food banks in Camden operated by The Trussell Trust:
You can also refer yourself to a mobile food bank that travels to different locations in Camden.
Free school meals
Every child in primary school receives free school meals. Eligible children in secondary schools can receive free school meals too – but they must be signed up to the scheme. In Camden, every child who is eligible and
signed up to the free school meals scheme receives extra support with food worth £500 a year, including:
- Free breakfast clubs
- Food vouchers in the holidays
Supermarket vouchers
Supermarket vouchers will be posted to families living in Camden with children aged up to 18 who are receiving Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support. Any child attending a Camden school and receiving free school meals will also receive vouchers.
Families receive one voucher per eligible child. The vouchers can be used in a variety of supermarkets.
NHS Healthy Start Scheme
Get help to buy healthy food and milk through the NHS Healthy Start scheme. This is available if you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4. Find out more by visiting healthystart.nhs.uk/how-to-apply or call 0300 330 7010
Join or start a food co-op
Food co-ops are a way to regularly access low-cost food – you can join one or start one on your own street or estate.
Cooperation Town is a network of food co-ops. Each household pays £3 to £10 a week and gets about five times what they pay for in value – saving up to 40% on weekly food costs.
To find out more, visit the Cooperation Town website or email Cooperation Town and they will put you in touch with a Cooperation Town co-op near you or can help you to start your own.