Local charities and family hubs are helping to provide food support across the borough. Find your nearest food support service.

The Bread and Butter Thing

You can become a member to get food worth up to £35 at an affordable price.

The charity collects food items from supermarkets, farmers, and manufacturers. They aim to reduce food waste and provide healthy, low-cost food bags. Find out more about The Bread and Butter Thing.

Food bag items may be different every week, but they can contain:

• fresh fruits and vegetables
• chilled food for the fridge
• cupboard food such as pasta and cereals

Prices

The price depends on the size of your order, and you pay when you collect. Cash, cards, and Healthy Start Vouchers are all accepted.

Bag sizes include:

• individual orders cost £5
• family orders cost £8.50
• large family orders cost £17

Vegetarian options are available.

Become a member to order

Anyone can become a member. It's free to join, and you can use it as and when you need to.

To join, text 07507 237 311 with:

• your full name
• your postcode
• the name of the hub you will collect from

You will get a text two days before your collection date. Reply 'YES' by 10am the next day to confirm your order. Your order will be ready to collect on the hub collection day.

If you have booked but cannot make it, text 'CANCEL' as soon as possible.

You can opt out of a collection by replying 'NO'.  You will stay on their list and be asked the following week.

Hub locations

You can collect your food bags from any of the following hubs:

Park Wood

Wednesday from 2pm

Shepway

Thursday from 1pm

Trinity

Tuesday from 1pm

Other support

There are other websites and apps that share surplus food for free or low cost. They help to prevent waste, save money and look after the environment.

Olio

People can share unwanted food with people in their neighbourhood by using the olio app. You can search for the type of food that you need. Items include:

• food
• household items
• clothing
• toys

Too Good To Go

You can use the Too Good To Go app to get surplus food from local retailers at a low cost. They offer discounted food that would normally go to waste.

Community fridge network

The community fridge network offers a space to bring people together to share food, learn skills and meet new friends. You can give food or take food donated by local supermarkets, businesses and residents. Check to see if there is a community fridge in your area.

Search for deals

Before you shop, you can look online for any deals, offers or giveaways. You can use price comparison websites or use Money Saving Expert to find cheap or free food.