Food
Food support available in the borough.
Free school meals
Every child in reception, year 1 and year 2 (not nursery) in a government funded school, is automatically entitled to free school meals.
In addition, free school meals are available to pupils receiving, or whose parents are receiving, one or more of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
Find out how to apply for free school meals.
Wandsworth Foodbank
If you are facing hardship, many local organisations can refer people to Wandsworth Foodbank for emergency food, support and advice. Visit Wandsworth Foodbank's website for information about referral routes and locations. Or, you can also call Trussell Trust’s free helpline on 0808 208 2138 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, closed on public holidays). You will talk confidentially to a trained adviser who can refer you to your nearest food bank.
One of Wandsworth Foodbank’s welcome centres is open every day except Sundays unless there is a bank holiday weekend. The centres are warm and welcoming spaces where people who have been referred can collect food essentials, and access further support and advice.
Chantelle's Community Kitchen
Free pre-packed nutritious homemade meals to take away or eat in every Tuesday from 11am to 1pm at 4 Portswood Place, SW15 4ED.
Waste Not Want Not
The Battersea-based charity collects surplus food from nearby markets and distributes it through local community and youth centres.
- Website: Waste Not Want Not
- Telephone: 07477 660692
Tooting Community Kitchen
The Tooting Community Kitchen runs a food bank each Friday between between 9.30am and 11.30am at Price Close, Upper Tooting Road and Wednesday and Saturday 6 to 6.30pm outside Iceland/Tooting Market, Tooting High Street.
Bridge Breakfast
On Monday mornings from 10am until 12 noon The Bridge Church runs Bridge Breakfast at The London Cooking Project, 1 Ethelburga Street, London, SW11 4AG. The church partners with local grocery stores to provide food to those in need.
Pop in any time for tea and toast, community and conversation, and food surplus (dependent on availability). If you would like to get involved visit the Battersea Church website.
Retail discounts and offers
Supermarkets including ASDA, Sainsbury's and Morrisons are offering discounts and offers.
Find out more via Help for Households.
Reduce your food costs
Food waste costs the average London household £60 a month, so reducing your food waste is good for your pocket, not just the environment. And as most food waste is avoidable, most households can do this easily!
Find out more about how to reduce food waste (Love Food Hate Waste).
Worried about food?
If you are worried about whether or not you can feed yourself and your family, view further information via our Family Information Service.
Be Enriched Tooting Canteen
The Be Enriched Tooting Canteen is open every Friday to serve a vegetarian lunch to the local community.
Dons Local Action Group
This voluntary Dons Local Action Group delivers food parcels and accepts referrals from GPs, social services, schools and other organisations.
NHS Healthy Start Scheme
If you are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four and are on a low income, you may be entitled to help to buy healthy food and milk from NHS Healthy Start.
The Roehampton Community Box
The Roehampton Community Box is available to anyone living within two miles of Roehampton. For a £4 weekly contribution you can select more than £25 worth of groceries including food, toiletries and cleaning products.