Food Poverty – how to get support
The Islington Food Poverty Alliance is a group of local organisations and individuals working together to ensure everyone in Islington eats enough healthy food each day.
Anyone can join the Islington Food Poverty Alliance, including: residents, Voluntary and Community Sector organisations, Mutual Aid groups, funders, businesses, schools, early years settings, the Council and local health services.
To receive regular communications from the Alliance, and information about meetings, please email ifpa@islington.gov.uk
Access to good food and financial support
Community food offers – from lunch clubs to preventing surplus food waste, a variety of community organisations across Islington offer free and low cost food. Further information on what is available can be found on our on their directories page. Some useful links follow:
The Andover Community Centre site of Finsbury Park Community Hub are running a free surplus food project on Fridays, and a Saturday takeaway meal. Both can be collected on the day from the centre. For Friday food packages: timed appointment by referral or 4pm drop in. For information and to make a referral please email christopher.donovan@islington.gov.uk or phone 07904 266 545
The Arc’s food bank/distribution network delivers food packages to those in Islington who can’t afford to buy food, giving people simple and nutritious food when they need it most. The boxes feature healthy essentials, with plenty of fresh produce, wholefood ingredients, and enough food for a week. For support phone: 07801 499581
Bags of Taste is a specialist in dietary change for people in poverty, helping them to achieve an improved and healthier diet on a low budget. For more information phone: 07986042458
Brickworks Community Centre Brickworks Community Centre is open: Monday – Friday 9:00am – 3:00pm Providing the following services: Internet access Food bank Free books They are there to help anyone who requires support, access during these difficult times. For more information phone: 020 7263 1067
Choices are able to supply emergency food and hygiene parcels, well-being support and help. Advice and advocacy on benefits, housing, employment and counselling. Telephone and walk and talk support sessions are available for isolated residents Call and leave a message and they will call back. For more information phone: 020 7281 6428
Copenhagen Street Foodbank Emergency food & support is for local people in need. Open Thursdays, 1pm – 3.30pm. No referral required for newcomers. They run a weekly foodbank for families and individuals who have difficulty paying bills. For more information phone: 020 7226 3277
Elizabeth House Community Centre responded to the Covid-19 crisis by launching a food/care parcels distribution. They serve cooked meals to in-house residents, provide cooked meals and food packages for collection for the immediate neighbourhood. Contact: 020 7690 1300
FEAST With Us offers a hot meal delivery service once a week on either a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Their meals are vegetarian and consist of one main hot dish, a side and fruit or a dessert. Contact: 07309 731521
Hare Krishna Food For All offer free hot vegetarian meals 2pm to 2.40pm Monday – Saturday and take away from the white van at York Way next to Kings Cross train station. foodforalluk@gmail.com
Hilldrop Community Centre food hub provides a weekly hot meal and food and essential item parcels for members of our community. It is not a crisis service. Participants are regularly monitored on their needs and referred to relevant support services. Contact: 020 7607 9453
Hornsey Lane Estate Community Association is currently providing the following services: Telephone befriending service. Please email irene@hleca.org.uk or telephone Val on 07496213442 for details. They currently run a members based food co-op from New Orleans Hall for residents in the Hillrise Ward. Contact: 0207 272 5938
We Are Islington – the We Are Islington helpline offers support for food, medicine and anyone struggling financially due to the impact of coronavirus.
