Money & benefits · England
Food banks and help with food costs
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This guide is for people in England.
You can ask someone you trust to help.
Ask for help with food
Tell someone if you do not have enough food.
You can ask a food bank or your council for help.
Say if you need food today.
What is a food bank?
A food bank gives emergency food to people who need it.
You do not pay for an emergency food parcel.
Check how to get help before you travel.
You may need a referral
A referral means someone asks a service to help you.
Some food banks need a referral or voucher.
Ask the food bank how to get one.
Other food banks let you ask directly.
Other food schemes
Ask about community meals, fridges and food pantries.
Some are free.
Some charge a small amount.
Ask about the cost and rules first.
Olio
Olio is an app for sharing food and other items.
Choose listings marked free.
Some Olio listings cost money.
Agree when and where to collect the food.
Food that meets your needs
Tell the service about allergies and special diets.
Explain what you can safely eat and drink.
Say if you cannot cook or keep food cold.
Ask what suitable food it can offer.
Getting your food
Ask about access, queues and help carrying bags.
Ask whether someone can collect for you.
Check whether delivery is available.
Delivery is not available everywhere.
Using Olio safely
Keep messages in the Olio app.
Do not pay an Olio user for delivery.
Ask someone you trust to help with collection if needed.
Keep food safe
Read food labels and storage instructions.
Do not eat food after its use-by date.
Ask if ingredients or allergy information are unclear.
Help for the future
Ask for a benefits check and free debt advice.
Ask the council about help with essential costs.
Tell your support service if you cannot get or prepare food.
What you can do next
Check the referral and opening arrangements.
Explain the food and support you need.
Find a food bank Web pageThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- Trussell: find a food bank Web page
Find emergency food and ask about referral arrangements.
- Independent Food Aid Network: local members Web page
Find local organisations and check how to get help.
- Olio: free food and household items Web page
Choose free listings; Olio also has paid and discounted options.
- GOV.UK: council help with essential costs Web page
Find England’s Crisis and Resilience Fund support.
- Citizens Advice: debt and local help Web page
Debt helpline: 0800 240 4420. Find chat and local services.
- Olio: avoiding scams Web page
Keep messages in the app and do not pay users for delivery.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Food banks and help with food costs — Easy Read
Find emergency food, food banks, community food schemes and free food through Olio.
England · People with learning disabilities, families and supporters
If you need food now
Contact a local food bank, advice service or your council and say clearly if you have no food today. Ask what immediate help is available and when it can be collected. A planned future appointment or a sharing-app listing is not a guaranteed emergency supply. Tell a supporter or social worker if you need practical help to get food.
Trussell food banks and referrals
Use Trussell’s finder to locate a food bank. Its network generally uses referrals and food vouchers: ask the local food bank who can refer you and how. Referral partners vary. Ask what information is needed and whether the voucher is electronic or on paper. Check opening times before travelling. Emergency food is free; do not assume a referral guarantees delivery or any particular items.
Independent food banks and community schemes
The Independent Food Aid Network lists local members. Some independent food banks accept people directly; others need a referral. Community meals, fridges, pantries and social supermarkets have their own rules. Some food is free, while other schemes charge a small amount or membership fee. Check your local offer, postcode rules, opening times and what you need to bring.
Free food through Olio
Olio includes free food offered by local people and volunteers collecting surplus food from businesses. Select free listings: the app also has paid items and discounted groceries. Request through the app and agree collection. Items and collection times vary, so do not rely on Olio as your only emergency-food plan.
Tell people what food you can use
Explain allergies, coeliac disease, swallowing needs, prescribed diets, cultural or religious needs and foods you can manage. Say if you have no cooker, fridge, fuel, can opener or safe storage. Ask what suitable alternatives are available; not every service can meet every need. Do not change a swallowing or prescribed diet plan because a parcel contains unsuitable food. Ask your usual health team for advice if needed.
Plan access and collection
Ask about step-free access, queues, quieter times, carrying bags, delivery or collection by someone you choose. Delivery and supporter collection are not always available, so check first. Ask for the process in words or pictures you understand. With Olio, keep communication in the app and do not pay a user for delivery. Arrange collection and any support safely.
Check food safety
Check packaging, storage instructions, allergen information and use-by dates. Do not eat food after its use-by date. Keep chilled food cold and ask if you are unsure how an item has been stored. If ingredients or allergens are unclear, do not assume the food is safe for your needs. Ask the provider and seek a suitable alternative.
Get help beyond the next food parcel
Ask the council about a Crisis Payment and local welfare help through the Crisis and Resilience Fund. Rules and availability vary. A benefits check and free debt advice may also help. Tell support services if your care arrangements are leaving you without food or unable to prepare it.
Words you could use
“I do not have enough food. Please explain how to get help and what you can offer that meets my food, access and support needs.”
More useful links
- Trussell: find a food bank Web page
Find emergency food and ask about referral arrangements.
- Independent Food Aid Network: local members Web page
Find local organisations and check how to get help.
- Olio: free food and household items Web page
Choose free listings; Olio also has paid and discounted options.
- GOV.UK: council help with essential costs Web page
Find England’s Crisis and Resilience Fund support.
- Citizens Advice: debt and local help Web page
Debt helpline: 0800 240 4420. Find chat and local services.
- Olio: avoiding scams Web page
Keep messages in the app and do not pay users for delivery.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Where the information comes from
Links checked 7 November 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- Trussell: find a food bank Web page
Find emergency food and ask about referral arrangements.
- Independent Food Aid Network: getting food support Web page
Referral arrangements and types of local food support vary.
- Independent Food Aid Network: local members Web page
Find local organisations and check how to get help.
- Olio: free food and household items Web page
Choose free listings; Olio also has paid and discounted options.
- Olio: avoiding scams Web page
Keep messages in the app and do not pay users for delivery.
- GOV.UK: council help with essential costs Web page
Find England’s Crisis and Resilience Fund support.
- GOV.UK: food safety at home Web page
Food storage, use-by dates and allergy information; written for students.