What can I do if I need long term food support?

Food Banks in the UK are there to help you in the short term, but if you’re struggling to afford food regularly, you might be asking, ‘What can I do if I need long term food support?’. While food banks provide emergency food parcels, there are other ways to get sustainable, ongoing food assistance in the UK. Options include repeat access food banks, community food pantries, government schemes, and local charities. Here we explain how to access long term food support so you and your family don’t go without essentials.

How to Get Ongoing Food Support

If you need help beyond one-off food parcels, consider these options:

• Food banks that offer repeat access
• Community food pantries and social supermarkets
• Government financial and food assistance
• Charity-run food support programmes
• Free school meals and holiday food schemes for children

Each of these can provide long term help instead of relying only on emergency food banks.

Food Banks That Allow Repeat Referrals

Most food banks operate on a voucher referral system, where professionals like Citizens Advice, social workers, or GPs refer people in crisis. Some food banks, however, allow multiple visits if you’re experiencing ongoing hardship.

How to Get Continued Help from Food Banks

1. Ask about repeat referrals – Some food banks allow multiple vouchers for those in financial difficulty.
2. Check independent food banks – Some don’t require vouchers and have flexible access rules.
3. Look for community food hubs – These offer weekly or monthly food support outside the usual food bank model.

Find a local food bank on FoodBanks.co.uk to check what’s available near you.

Community Food Pantries and Social Supermarkets

If you need affordable, long term food, a community food pantry or social supermarket may be a better option than a food bank. Instead of receiving free food, you pay a small fee to access low cost groceries.

Where to Find Community Food Schemes

• Your Local Pantry – Offers membership based food shopping at reduced prices.
• Community Shop – Sells surplus supermarket food to people on low incomes.
• Council-Run Food Support – Many local councils run community food projects.

Government Support for Food Costs

The UK government provides food assistance schemes for people on low incomes.

Universal Credit and Other Financial Help

• Universal Credit Hardship Payments – If your benefits don’t cover essentials, you may qualify for extra support.
• Budgeting Loans – Interest-free loans for food and essential costs.

Healthy Start Scheme (For Pregnant Women and Young Children)

If you’re pregnant or have children under four, you may qualify for Healthy Start vouchers to buy milk, fruit, and vegetables.

Free School Meals and Holiday Food Support

• Free school meals – Available for eligible children in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
• Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme – Offers free meals and activities during school holidays.

Check with your child’s school or council to apply.

Charities and Local Organisations Offering Food Support

Many charities and local initiatives offer free meals and affordable food parcels.

Where to Get Ongoing Food Help

• FareShare UK – Distributes surplus food to local organisations.
• FoodCycle – Runs free community meals across the UK.
• The Salvation Army – Offers food parcels and meal services.

Ways to Stretch Your Food Budget Further

If you need long term food support, reducing food costs and managing money better can also help.

Financial Advice Services

• Citizens Advice – Can help with benefits applications and emergency grants.

Affordable Food Shopping Tips

• Too Good To Go App – Buy surplus supermarket food at a fraction of the price.
• Olio App – Find free food from local people and businesses.

Tip: Some councils also provide food vouchers for people in crisis. Check with your local authority.

What Can I Do If I Need Long Term Food Support?

If you need long term food support, you can access repeat food bank referrals, join a community food pantry, apply for government schemes, seek support from charities, and explore cost saving food options. Help is available, and you don’t have to face food insecurity alone.

Did you have another question about food banks? See all our FAQs.