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.

How to find support accessing food – The Access to Food Map

The Access to Food map shows all the different types of community food support available in our area, and how you can access them.

Types of community food support

There are different types of community food support available, depending on your circumstances.

Food banks

A food bank is for anyone in an emergency situation 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 3 days.

How to get a food bank voucher

You need a voucher to get food from a food bank. Do not go to a food bank without a voucher. If you have used a food bank before, use the same method as before to get a voucher, if you can.

You can get food vouchers from:

• Citizens Advice: select food voucher on their online form or call 0808 278 7939
• family hubs in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
• your child's school, which can also help with extra food bank vouchers during school holidays

How to get your food if you cannot leave home

If you are unable to 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 Access to Food Map.

Public food support awareness training

Our Access to Food Partnership YouTube video explains how to get food help and how you can help. You can also download the presentation which has all of the links from the video.