Help with food costs
There are charities and community organisations that offer low-cost food options. You may be eligible for free school meals for your children. You may also be able to claim a Healthy Start Digital Card.
The Healthy Start Scheme
Apply for a Healthy Start Digital Card for free milk, fresh or frozen vegetables and fruit.
If you are pregnant or have children under the age of four years you could also be eligible for Healthy Start Digital Cards, which can be used to purchase fresh or formula milk, fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables from any shop or supermarket that is registered to take part in the scheme.
Apply on the Healthy Start website or call the National Healthy Start helpline on 0300 330 7010.
You can access information about the Healthy Start Digital Cards in easy to read formats on the NHS website.
If you or someone you know needs access to a computer to make a claim, our lending libraries offer free access to computers, wifi, scanning and low cost printing/photocopying to make sure everyone has equal access to the support that is available to them. They can also offer basic IT skills support and can help you fill in forms.
You don't have to be a member (though we encourage you to sign up) and you can just turn up on the day to use the services.
Free school meals
Parents who claim certain benefits and/or tax credits can get help by applying for free school meals.
Charities and community organisations
St Luke’s Community Centre runs Food Programmes near Golden Lane Estate. If you need help with food costs, are on a low income or struggling with money and live on or around* Golden Lane Estate you can make use of St Luke’s Community Centre’s food programmes.
You will need to be resident in their ‘area of benefit’ and a member of St Luke's Community Centre.
They run a Food Hub and Food Co-op. Visit their website or go along.
There are also options in Hackney that you may be able to make use of.
Food waste apps
Too Good to Go is an app that offers leftover food at a discount price from restaurants and cafes that would otherwise be thrown away.
OLIO also have a similar app to pick up leftover food.