Healthy Start food vouchers
Regular vouchers can be provided by Healthy Start to help buy fruit, vegetables and milk if you’re on a low income, pregnant or have a child under four.
If you shop at Sainsbury's, you can also get a £2 a week top-up coupon on top of your Healthy Start food vouchers
For more information, please visit the Sainsbury's website.
Food hubs and foodbanks
If you are on a low income and have an unexpected crisis or an emergency that means you cannot afford food, we may be able to help by referring you to a foodbank.
Some foodbanks require referrals, but other food hubs do not require a referral.
View the local foodbanks on the Cambridge City foodbank website.
Cambridge Community Kitchen
Cambridge Community Kitchen provides hot, hearty, vegan meals for anyone who needs one, which can be delivered to your home.
FoodCycle Cambridge
FoodCycle Cambridge invites anyone for a warm meal, whatever your reason for needing one as the cost of living increases. Drop into St Andrew’s Street Baptist Church from 12.30pm on a Saturday. No matter your background, you’ll be greeted warmly by friendly volunteers.
The EDGE Café
The EDGE Café is running a £3 lunchtime deal that takes place on each Wednesday, called 'Cheap Wednesdays', to help with the cost of living crisis. For just £3 you can have a delicious, hearty and healthy EDGE made meal to see you through your day.
For more information, and to see what's going to be served each week, please visit The EDGE Café Facebook page.
Emergency food in Cambridge
We support Cambridge Sustainable Food, which coordinates emergency food provision in Cambridge in partnership with Cambridge Food Poverty Alliance.
The Alliance represents over 25 organisations working on poverty alleviation in the city.
Cambridge Sustainable Food also advises on how to limit food waste at home.
OLIO- free food that would have been wasted
OLIO is an app that lists not needed food/non-food in Cambridge that would otherwise have been wasted.
You can request food and non-food items via the OLIO app.
Cambridgeshire Local Assistance Scheme
Cambridgeshire’s Local Assistance Scheme (CLAS) supports people facing unexpected financial difficulties. CLAS can provide information, advice and practical support and assistance in times of exceptional pressure.
Following an assessment, you may be eligible for a CLAS award. The awards can be in the form of supermarket vouchers, energy vouchers, new white goods, decorating packs, beds, mattresses, recycled white goods and furniture. You can self-refer, contact CLAS directly.
Financial support from Cambridgeshire County Council
The Cambridgeshire Household Support Fund has been created to help people experiencing immediate financial hardship to pay for food and household energy bills.
Free school meals
If you are in receipt of certain benefits your child may be entitled to free school meals, saving you up to £450 per year per child.
School children who are eligible for free school meals are entitled to a two-course meal worth approximately £2.30 for primary and £2.35 for secondary each day.
Find out more and apply for free school meals on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website.
Secondary school children who are entitled to free school meals might also qualify for help with school transport costs. See get help with your child’s school costs, for more information.
Christmas holiday supermarket vouchers
£30 vouchers will be sent automatically to families with Early Years Pupil Premium children; whose children are eligible for income related funded two-year-old education; whose children are eligible for income-related Free School Meals; and with children who are eligible for the 16 plus bursary.
To receive the vouchers, please check whether you could be eligible for free school meals during term time, as this would then make you eligible for supermarket vouchers in the holidays as well.
If you are not already receiving free school meals, but you become eligible up to 2 January, you will still be entitled to receive the £30 Christmas supermarket voucher.
Free holiday childcare including a meal
If your child is eligible for free school meals you can also access free childcare with a healthy meal over the Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays, subject to availability.
Find out more about Cambridgeshire County Council’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme.
Free holiday lunches for children
We provide free lunches and activities for families with nursery or school-aged children in the school holidays, at various locations around Cambridge.
See free holiday lunches for full details.
Cooking on a budget
Real Food Wythenshawe supports people who want to develop the skills and desire to cook inexpensive healthier meals from scratch. They also offer other money saving tips.
Free period products
No-one should have to go without period products.
If you are unable to afford period products you can access these at the council's community centres or at food hubs and foodbanks in the city.
