Access to Food - food banks, community fridges and social supermarkets in our area
The Access to Food Partnership brings together local services to make sure everyone has access to food. This is through food banks, community fridges, social supermarkets and more.
The Access to Food map shows all the different types of community food support available in our area, and how you can access them.
Food banks
A food bank is for anyone in crisis who does not have enough money to buy food. When you go to a food bank, you will get enough food to feed yourself and your family for at least three days.
How to get a food bank voucher
You need a voucher to get food from a food bank. Please don't go to a food bank without one. If you have used a food bank before, use the same way as before to get a voucher if you can.
You can also get food vouchers from:
- Citizens Advice: select Food Voucher on their online form or call 03444 111 444
- children's centres in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
- your child's school, which can also help with extra foodbank vouchers during school holidays
- BCP Council Crisis Team: call 01202 096 622 or email the Adult Social Care triage team with your name, address, contact number and date of birth
How to get your food if you can't leave home
If you can't leave home, you can ask someone you trust to go to the food bank for you. Let your referral service know who this person is so the food bank knows who will be picking up the food. The person you send will need to give your food bank voucher number to the food bank.
Community fridges, pantries and social supermarkets
A community fridge helps reduce food waste by sharing extra food with the community. Anyone can use them, and there are no checks to see if you qualify.
Pantries and social supermarkets offer more food choice than a food bank. You might need to pay a small membership fee or get a referral. Check with each provider for details.
You can find local community fridges, pantries and social supermarkets on the map above.
Public training video
Our Access to Food Partnership video explains how to get food help and how you can help.