Community Food Support
Foodbanks and Food Pantries
Many of us may be struggling to manage the rising costs to our household bill, including how much is spent on food and essential items.
Community food spaces across Warrington, St Helens, and Liverpool offer an affordable way to access healthy, nutritious food while also helping to reduce food waste.
Through Torus Foundation's partnerships with local organisations, these food spaces provide greater access to affordable groceries in our heartland areas.
For just £5 to £7.50 per week (depending on where you live), members can collect a variety of food – including fresh fruit, vegetables, and store cupboard staples – often worth £15–£20 or more.
If you're a Torus customer, our Torus Hub colleagues can also help you access a foodbank voucher and direct you to the nearest community food space.
You can also explore some of our budget-friendly, healthy recipes developed by our Health and Wellbeing team – a great way to make the most of what’s in your cupboard.
Below are links to each food network across our heartland areas. These links provide the most up-to-date information on locations and prices, but if you’re struggling, please give our colleagues a call, and we will be happy to assist.
Visit Feeding Living at feedingliverpool.org for an interactive map, showing you the most suitable community food support venue for you.
For all food support in St Helens, including food banks and community food pantries on St Helens Borough Council's website, www.sthelens.gov.uk/article/6987/Food
Warrington Voluntary Action has pulled together a list of all the food support options available in Warrington. You can view it at www.warringtonva.org.uk/community-food
Healthy Start Vouchers
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.
You need to apply through the Government link below and if you pass all the criteria needed, they will send you a Healthy Start Card with money on it that you can use in some shops. They will also add your benefit onto this card every four weeks.
The card can be used to buy:
- Plain liquid cow’s milk
- Fresh, frozen
- 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
- vitamin drops for babies and young children
Free School Meals
Your child may be entitled to free school meals. Full details can be found on the Government’s website, where you can check and then find out how to apply through your local authority.
Money and Benefits
Check out other other support designed to help you make your money go further and help you to access benefits to which you’re entitled to. The page also includes benefit calculators, debt advice, grant information and more.
Money and benefits support page
Check our some tips to save money and ways to prepare before you head food shopping