Looking For Food Support In Blackburn with Darwen?
If you’re experiencing a food crisis, we’re here to help you access good food, support & prevent hunger
The Food Equity Network
The Food Alliance co-ordinates this network which brings together the different organisations within the borough who provide food support to people who, for one reason or another, are experiencing a crisis or food insecurity.
The group includes food bank, food larders, community centres and food clubs across both Blackburn and Darwen and meets on a regular basis to share their experiences and work with each other to tackle the rise in food insecurity.
If you have set up a food support group in Blackburn with Darwen or are interested in doing, so please sign up as a partner here or email us below to join the network.
Food Support Groups Within Blackburn with Darwen
If you are needing food support, these groups may be able to help you:
Blackburn with Darwen Help Hub
The Government’s Department for Work and Pensions is running the Household Support Fund for another 12 months, to help with the rising cost of living. You may qualify for support even if you are in work.
The scheme can provide you with practical help and advice to support you with the rising costs of food, energy and other household bills. You might be able to get help with:
• gas, electricity and water costs
• boiler inspections and energy efficiency
• affordable food options
• white goods and children’s beds
• support to increase your income
• support to stay healthy and well
Details and information about how you can apply to the fund can be found via the website
Website: www.blackburn.gov.uk/helphub
Blackburn with Darwen Foodbank
The Blackburn with Darwen Foodbank offers a call and collect service on Monday, Wednesday & Friday and they’re open between 10am and 2pm on those days.
Referrals can be made by telephone, email or their online referral system between 9.30am and 1pm.
Website: blackburn.foodbank.org.uk
SPROUTS FOOD CLUB
What is the SPROUTS?
SPROUTS Food Club bridges the gap between those in Food crisis and those being able to fully support themselves using traditional supermarkets by providing a weekly “food box” at a highly subsidised cost
How does it work?
There is no annual membership to pay to be part of the club.
The boxes cost £10 for a large box / £6 for a small box of food containing fresh meat, fresh fruit, vegetables, tinned and dried produce, cheese, yogurt and bread, the remaining cost is being subsidised by Blackburn with Darwen Council.
SPROUTS boxes are collected on Thursdays from 9am, from Blackburn Food Bank, The Oaks, Oakenhurst Road, Blackburn BB2 1SN
Who is eligible?
SPROUTS is currently on a referral basis only, but they are looking to make it more widely available to residents across Blackburn with Darwen who need support to purchase food.
Benefit Mankind
If families are struggling for food due to the cost of living crisis, Benefit Mankind are providing food packs to local families in Blackburn and Darwen.
To request a parcel, kindly email info@benefitmankind.co.uk with your details and if eligible a parcel will be delivered within 24 hours. Benefit Mankind will ask for basic information to meet their eligibility criteria.
Website: benefitmankind.co.uk
The Billy Project
As part of their work, the Billy Project runs a community larder and is open Monday to Thursday 11am – 2pm and Friday 11am – 2pm.
Bags of food can be purchased for £3 a bag or £10 for 2 bags a week for 28 days. The food available will vary from day to day and you can find out more via their Facebook page which is updated daily.
Big Local Community Shop
Shadsworth with Whitebirk Big Local (Big Local Community Shop) provide food boxes for residents who can purchase from their community shop on Accrington Road.
Available every Tues, Wed & Thurs
£6.00 per box
Collected from the community shop on Accrington Road.
More information and updates are available on their Facebook page (click the Facebook icon/link below)
They’re also developing a provision to feed the homeless and allow them to have their clothes washed and dried from the community shop.
For more information please ring 01254 582645.
Food Larder Highercroft
The Food Larder is situated in the Higher Croft Children’s Centre, it can be accessed every:
Mon: 9.00am – 12 Noon
Wed: 9.00am – 12 Noon, 1.00pm – 3.00pm
Fri: 9.00 am – 12 Noon
The Food Larder will be launched on the 2 February 2023.
It will be a top up service for your weekly shop where residents will have the opportunity to purchase 5 items for £3.50 and 10 items for £6.50 of various produce. Extra support will be provided for anyone that needs it and signposted to the necessary organisation.
Information and updates can be found on their Facebook page (click Facebook icon/link below).
For more information please ring 01254 292650.
Darwen Food Larder
Darwen Food Larder provide food support for people living in Darwen. Their food parcels include enough non-perishable food for 3 days.
Where: Meeting Places, Croft Street, Darwen
Open Mon-Fri: 10am – 12pm
Please phone or call them for further information:
Tel: 07369 211461
Email: darwenfl1@gmail.com
Website: www.darwenfood.com
St James’ Ash Grove Food Club
St James’ church Over Darwen operates Ash Grove Food Club to support Darwen people with food and other services to build food resilience and a helping hand. Members give £2 a week and receive a large bag of non-perishable goods, varying fresh foods and household supplies (when possible). The community centre is open:
Mon, Tues & Friday Warm Space: 10am – 12 noon
Wed Bingo & Brews & Soup: 10am – 12 noon.
Thurs: Closed
Food Club Every Saturday: 10.30am – 11.30am
Where: Ash Grove shops, next door to Wang’s Takeaway, Darwen.
For further information, please call 07709 889767, email them at stjameschurch.overdarwen@gmail.com or join their Facebook Group:
Food Apps
Alongside the food support organisations there are also a number of Apps that can be downloaded to alert people to where surplus food can be obtained:
OLIO
OLIO is a free sharing app which enables people in the same community to share surplus food.
If someone has surplus food they post it on the app and if you can make use of it you can contact them via the app and arrange to collect it.
Website: olioex.com
Too Good To Go
Local businesses can upload unsold food onto the app which you can search for and arrange to purchase a Magic Bag at a significantly reduce cost.
Website: toogoodtogo.co.uk/en-gb
Working across all sectors to bring good, sustainably produced food to our community
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Healthy Lifestyle
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Community Gardens
Bringing people together to learn about growing food.
Get Involved
Help us to build a good food movement in our borough.
About Us
Who are the Blackburn with Darwen Food Alliance & what do we do?