Food Provision Projects

There are several food provision services across Cambridge, which aim to increase access to food for those that need it. We’ve compiled a few of these in the list below. If you or someone you know is struggling, please take a look at our Emergency Signposting toolkit for resources that can help.

For more information on community food provision services, take a look at the Cambridge City Foodbank, the Cambridge Holiday Lunches Programme, or the Cambridge Food Cycle websites.  

Community Fridges

According to a report published by WRAP, the UK bins a staggering 10 million tonnes of food every year, equivalent to over £20 billion and 25 million tonnes of harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

These shocking stats have galvanised a Community Fridge food distribution movement, with fridges popping up all over the UK. The concept is simple: give, take, share. Businesses and individuals leave surplus food for the community to collect and enjoy. 

Aside from stopping perfectly edible food from going to landfill, the fridges connect communities and increase access to nutritious, affordable food. Businesses and individuals people donate their surplus fruit, vegetables, bread, dried and tinned food to the fridges for the local community to enjoy.

Cambridge Sustainable Food partnered with The Edge Cafe to install the city’s first Community Fridge in 2017. Following its success, we are establishing more fridges around the city.

With the arrival of Covid-19, we have launched seven Community Food Hubs with partners across Cambridge. The hubs provide free food to those in need through Community Fridges and freezers at these venues. The hubs are open to food donations from businesses, organisations and growers. If you have surplus food to donate, please complete this enquiry form and we will be in touch.

Cambridge City Foodbank

In 2016, the Cambridge City Foodbank distributed 4,552 three-day emergency food supplies to people in crisis.

Run entirely by volunteers, the Cambridge Foodbank has six distribution centres across the city, with at least one centre open each weekday (Monday – Friday).

You can visit their website to check current volunteering opportunities and register interest, as well as to discover other ways of getting involved. 

Cambridge Holiday Lunches

The Cambridge Holiday Lunch Programme provides free lunches during school holidays for families with children who ordinarily receive free school lunches. They usually run on several weekdays at various venues across Cambridgeshire during the school holidays (except Christmas when it is by invitation only). The programme is supported by Cambridge City Council, as well as a number of community organisations and churches.

Cambridge Food Cycle

Cambridge FoodCycle takes surplus food from local supermarkets and groceries to cook free, delicious and nutritious meals for the local community, and in particular those suffering from food poverty. They currently offer 3 community meals: one at Wesley Methodist Church at 12.30pm on Saturdays, one as a family supper at 6.30pm on the first and third Wednesday of the month at Barnwell Baptist Church and another supper at 6:30pm on the last Thursday of the month at Arbury Road Baptist Church. Sign up to become a volunteer here.