More Help and Information

• How Do I Get a Food Bank Voucher?

  Foodbanks work with a wide range of professionals such as; doctors, health visitors, social workers, Norfolk Early Childhood and Family Service (ECFS), Citizen's Advice and the police. These services can help people who do not have the food they need by providing a foodbank voucher.

  If you are struggling and need some help from a foodbank, you can ask any of these services for a voucher. 

• What Happens When I Visit a Food Bank?

  When you take a voucher to the local foodbank, it will be used to get a food parcel.

  Volunteers who run the foodbanks will make the parcel for you while you wait. They will make your parcel bigger according to the number of adults and children written on your voucher. They try and give you foods that are age appropriate. Some food banks are also able to offer baby foods and toiletries. 

  Foodbanks tell you about other services who may able to support you, if not having enough food is likely to keep being a worry.

  Zoom in to the map below to find a foodbank near you.

• What is in a Food Parcel?

  A food parcel will contain at least three days of nutritionally balanced food. This could include:

  • breakfast cereal
  • soup
  • pasta
  • rice
  • pasta sauce
  • baked beans
  • tinned meat
  • tinned vegetables
  • instant mash
  • Milk
  • tea
  • coffee
  • sugar
  • biscuits 

  Foodbanks will try and change your parcel to suit allergies or dietary needs including; people with diabetes, vegetarians and those who are gluten free.

  If you do not have cooking facilities let the food bank know and they will give you foods that don’t need to be cooked.

  Some foodbanks can also add nappies or baby food to the parcel if needed. Speak to the foodbank volunteers when you arrive to see if they can help with this.

• Food in School Holidays (FISH)

  School holidays can be a worry when money is tight. Talk to the Foodbank voucher providing services if this is something you struggle with. They may provide you with a voucher. Your children might be eligible for other servies that support families during the holidays.

  Food and Fun in the School Holidays (FISH) is a service run by some foodbanks. It is for all children who get free school meals during term time. The scheme feeds and entertains children for free during school holidays.

  For more information you can email:

  fish@norwich.foodbank.org.uk or *Click Here*

  fish@kingslynn.foodbank.org.uk or *Click Here*

• Community Fridges

  Community fridges are places in the local community that spare or leftover food can be shared. There are already some community fridges across Norfolk, with more planned. 

  You can visit the community fridge to see what food is on offer and take anything you need for free.

  Have a look at the map below to find a community fridge near you. 

• Healthy Start Cards

  Healthy Start is a national scheme to improve health. You could qualify if you're on low income or benefits and are at least 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under the age of four. You also qualify if you're under 18 years old and pregnant.

  Your midwife, health visitor or other health professional can support you to sign up. You will be sent a pre-paid card for cow’s milk, fresh/frozen fruit and vegetables and first infant formula milk. These can be used in local shops or supermarkets. You will also receive vouchers to exchange in pharmacies for:

  • Women’s vitamins (contain Vitamin C, D and Folic Acid) - available from week 10 of pregnancy up to baby’s first birthday
  • Children’s Vitamins (contain Vitamin A, C and D) – from ages 6 months to 4 years.

  For families who are not eligible for the scheme, all Norfolk Lloyds Pharmacies sell Healthy Start vitamins at a cheaper price than branded vitamins.

  Find out more about Healthy Start

• Free School Meals

  All children in Year Reception, 1 and 2 will receive free school meals. 

  From Year 3, children whose parents or carers get one or more of the following may also be able claim free school meals;

  • Universal Credit (provided the family has an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400)
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guarantee element of Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) and an annual income of no more than £16,190
  • Working Tax Credit run on – paid for four weeks after a claimant stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit

  To apply for free school meals you will need to fill out a form, this will be available at your child's school. 

  For support you can contact the Free School Meals Team on 01603 222518, via Norfolk County Council or by email admissions@norfolk.gov.uk

• Helpful Apps

  OLIO is a free app that lets you search your area for spare food.

  Too Good To Go is an app that shows you local cafes and restaurants' that are selling food at reduced rates.