Bristol Food Clubs

Bristol has a wide range of Community Food Support initiatives which families can access including Food Banks, Food Clubs, and Pantries. A current list of all community food support provision is available following the link below to the Feeding Bristol website. The original FOOD (Food on Our Doorsteps) Clubs have been running in Bristol since July 2019 and are run by Family Action. The FOOD Club model started in Manchester and was brought to Bristol by Feeding Bristol and Bristol Early Years as a response to our growing concerns about the high level of food insecurity for families with young children the alarming amount of good quality food which goes to waste.

FOOD Clubs are held in Early Years and Community settings and are targeted to families who are at risk of food insecurity as a sustainable long-term solution. Each Club is open for a two-hour session once a week and families come during this time to collect their food. Families can join the club for a £1 a year membership fee and then pay £3.50-£4 for a bag of Fareshare Southwest produce which is usually worth around £15. This produce has come straight from the manufacturers and distributers, rather than via supermarkets, so it is high quality ingredients including meat, dairy, store cupboard basics and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Produce is also sourced from local growers to ensure that families have access to fresh fruit and vegetables every week.

The Clubs are run by Family Action in conjunction with the Family Services teams across Bristol and local volunteers. They are a valuable way for families to access support and signposting to agencies who can help with issues around money, housing, mental health and wellbeing. The FOOD Clubs also host demonstrations and food education sessions from The Children’s Kitchen and Community Learning. Through the FOOD Clubs members have opportunities to volunteer and gain valuable work experience and qualifications such as a DBS certificate, Food Hygiene, Allergy Awareness, Manual Handling and inductions into voluntary work.