If you're struggling with food there is help available. Places you can go to or contact include food banks, The Feed, social supermarkets and free school meals.
Food banks
Opening times and locations of food banks in Norwich:
Monday
- 2pm to 3:30pm – Witard Road Baptist Church, Witard Road, Norwich, NR7 9XG (Heartsease)
Tuesday
- 6pm to 7.30pm – Oak Grove Community Church, 70 Catton Grove Road, Norwich, NR3 3NT (Catton)
Wednesday
- 10am to 12noon – The Chantry (behind MAP), Chantry Road, Norwich, NR2 1QZ (City centre)
- 12noon to 2pm – New Hope Christian Centre, 2 Martineau Lane, Norwich NR1 2HX (Lakenham)
Thursday
- 10.30am to 12noon – Wroxham and Hoveton United Reformed Church (URC), 114 Norwich Road, NR12 8SA
- 11am to 12.30pm – St Elizabeth's Church, Cadge Road, Earlham, Norwich, NR5 8DG (Earlham)
- 1.30pm to 3pm – Mile Cross Methodist Church, Aylsham Road, MIle Cross, NR3 2RU (Mile Cross)
- 1:30pm to 3pm – Norwich Central Baptist Church, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 3AP (City)
Friday
- 10am to 12noon – Alive! Church, Nelson Street, Norwich, NR2 4DR
- 10:30am to 12noon – Bowthorpe Church Centre, Bowthorpe Hall Road, Norwich, NR5 9AA (Bowthorpe)
- 11am to 12noon – Wymondham Baptist Church, Queens Street, Wymondham, NR18 0AY
Saturday
- 10am to 11:30am – The Chantry (behind MAP), Chantry Road, Norwich, NR2 1QZ (City centre)
The Feed
Find more places where food can be accessed on The Feed's Food assistance in Norwich page. The Feed's website includes information on indoor hot meals, outdoor hot meals, food parcels and deliveries, community fridges, social supermarkets, and more.
Social supermarkets
You can experience a new, more affordable, way of grocery shopping thanks to the introduction of social supermarkets in the city.
Social supermarkets are run by voluntary organisations, working with local food producers and suppliers to provide products at a lower cost than traditional supermarkets. These shops are aimed at anyone who is struggling to afford food, but there are no specific criteria for who can become a member.
Find a social supermarket:
- ENYP – Monday 4-6pm, Wednesday 11am-1pm and Friday 9-11am (Russell Street Community Centre, 53 Russell Street, NR2 4QT)
- The Feed – Monday to Friday 10am - 3pm (65 Hall Road, NR1 3HL)
- SOUL Foundation – Tuesday 1-3pm, Wednesday to Friday 10am-3pm, Sunday 12-2pm (4 Mason Road, Norwich NR6 6RF)
- Earlham Nursery School – opening soon
- Phoenix Larder – Friday 9am-12pm (Phoenix Centre, Mile Cross Lane, Norwich, NR3 2LD)
- The Magdalen Street Pantry – *By Appointment Only* (St Saviours Church, Magdalen Street, Norwich, NR3 1AA)
Each supermarket has its own approach to pricing and membership, and may stock a different range of goods, but share
The need for social supermarkets was first identified through an action plan developed by the Food Alliance and members of The Norwich Food Network, community groups working together to alleviate food insecurity. This network was originally set up by the city council who continue to facilitate its vital work.
Free school meals
Children attending Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 are entitled to receive free school meals automatically, known as universal infant free school meals. This program is distinct from benefit-related free school meals, and there is no need to submit an application for it, although if you receive any of the benefits listed on the Norfolk County Council’s website, it is advisable to register.
Eligibility and applying for free school meals
For detailed information on eligibility and how to apply for free school meals, please visit the Norfolk County Council website and fill out an application form using your Norfolk Education Online (NEO) account. You can use the same account for 2-year-old childcare funding and school admissions.
