Getting help with food in Torbay

If you don't have enough money for food, help is available.

You can find out:

What help is available

There are two main types of food support in Torbay.

Food banks: give free food to people who need help straight away. They are for emergencies and are designed to help for a short time.

Social supermarkets: places where you can buy food and everyday items for much less than normal prices.

They are different from food banks because:

  • you choose the food you want
  • you pay a small amount for your shopping
  • they can help if you need support for a longer time

How to get help

Most food support in Torbay is arranged through a referral. A referral is when a service helps connect you to the right support.

You can contact the Torbay Community Helpline. The Helpline is run by Torbay Communities.

When you contact them, they will:

  • talk with you about your situation
  • help you find the right support
  • arrange food support if you need it
  • tell you about other help that may be available which could include help with benefits, money, or housing.

We ask people to contact the Helpline before contacting food support services directly. This helps to make sure everyone gets the right support.

You can also get a referral from:

  • the Torbay Community Helpline
  • the NHS
  • social care services
  • Citizens Advice
  • Probation Services 
  • other local support organisations

Next steps

If you need emergency food

The Helpline, or another service helping you, can arrange support from a food bank. Food support is often arranged quickly, sometimes on the same day or the next day.

If you are referred to a food bank:

  • you will usually collect a food parcel from a local service
  • if you cannot collect it yourself, someone else may be able to collect it for you

Needing help for longer

You may be referred to a social supermarket or another low-cost food service.

Social supermarkets:

  • have rules about who can join
  • may offer membership for a set time
  • let you buy food at lower prices

You may also be offered support with:

  • budgeting
  • benefits
  • housing

When to ask for help

You do not need to wait until you have no food left. It is better to ask for help early so there is time to arrange support and make sure you get the help that is right for you.

Important information

  • Food banks in Torbay work together through the Torbay Food Alliance.
  • A referral is needed before food support can be provided.
  • The Torbay Community Helpline is the main way to get food support in Torbay.
  • To help provide the right support, information may be shared between Torbay Food Alliance partners and Torbay Council.

Other ways to get help

Free school meals

All children in reception, Year 1 and Year 2 in state schools in England get free school meals. If you are on certain benefits you should apply for free school meals when your child starts school. This can help the school get extra funding.

Holiday activities and food programme

Helps children eat healthy food and be more active over the school holidays.

Healthy Start

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four you may be able to get help with buying healthy food and milk.

We’ve teamed up with Healthwatch, the Torbay Community Development Trust and the Citizens Advice Bureau to make a video on Feeding People on a Budget.