Food Crisis

Rotherham Council is committed to supporting residents in times of crisis and are part of Food in Crisis Partnership, a network of Voluntary and Community Sector organisations providing crisis food provision and support to residents.

The network consists of 17 voluntary and community sector organisations which includes food banks, the social supermarket, pantries, and two Trussell Trust Food banks.

Food banks provide residents with crisis food parcels which includes food and non-food-sanitary products.

Social Supermarkets and Pantries support eligible residents through membership (costing £3 to £5 a week) to access discounted weekly shopping for food and other essential goods.

These services can be accessed at Community Food Members located across the borough. Residents should be referred to these services by agencies such as GPs, schools, hospitals, or council departments.

Due to rising demand, food partners are currently dealing with long waiting lists. It is suggested that residents get in touch with one of the agencies and get a referral rather than approaching food banks and social supermarkets themselves.

Social Supermarket

Social Supermarkets and Pantries are available to those facing financial hardship and who are struggling to afford food. Eligible residents can become members for three-six months, paying £3 to £5 a week.

Foodbanks in Rotherham

Foodbanks are available for those who have hit financial difficulties and are not able to afford food.

A food parcel contains roughly enough food for 3 days. It contains nutritionally balanced non-perishable items, and they are made dependent on the size of your family.

Donating Food

Foodbanks are always thankful for any items of food or personal hygiene that residents donate. No matter how little or large the donation, you are helping vulnerable people and their families to access essential items that they may struggle to obtain.

If you are looking to donate to your local foodbank, you can check on Donation Genie to find out what items are needed.

Go to Donation Genie’s website

Support in the Community

A range of support from community and voluntary groups. Use Rotherham Gismo to search for support in your area.

Search Rotherham Gismo

Free School Meals

If you are eligible, you will be able to apply for Free School Meals.

Your claim will be automatically processed if you receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support and get any of the qualifying benefits.

If your child attends a state funded infant school and is in Key Stage 1 (reception, year 1 or year 2), they are entitled to ‘universal infant free school meals’ regardless of your income. Please contact your child’s school to tell them you would like to have ‘universal infant free school meals’.

Apply for free school meals

Healthy Start

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.

If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card which you can use to buy:

  • plain liquid cow’s milk
  • fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables
  • fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
  • infant formula milk based on cow’s milk

You can also use your card to collect Healthy Start vitamins to support pregnancy and breastfeeding, and vitamin drops for babies and young children up to the age of 4.

If you need any further information about Healthy Start, visit the Healthy Start website or speak to your health visitor or midwife.