Emergency Food
Different types of food support are available for anyone in Leeds experiencing difficulties in accessing food. Personal circumstances will determine the type of help that can be received.
If you are receiving support from a social worker, support worker or other advice agency, they may also be able to refer you for help with food and/or food vouchers.
If you need urgent help
If you are experiencing an emergency or crisis and meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for support with food, energy and essential household items through the Local Welfare Support Scheme.
Find out more about the support offered, the criteria and how to apply.
Leeds Food Aid Network and Food aid map
The Leeds Food Aid Network is a group of food services in the city that offer different types of food aid, such as drop-ins, soup kitchens, outreaches, foodbanks, pay as you feel cafes and food pantries.
On the Leeds Food Aid Network website, you can see information about the food aid services in the city, including community kitchens and food banks as well as homeless and street outreach provisions.
You can also use the Leeds Food Aid map to find where and when the food aid services are, how to contact them and if you need a referral (sometimes you do).
Other help with food
Free school meals
If you are on benefits or a low income, you may be able to claim for free school meals for any child who normally lives with you and who is classed as being under your parental care.
Find out more about free school meals and apply.
Healthy Holidays
Healthy Holidays Leeds provides free holiday clubs for children and young people eligible for free school meals during Easter, Summer and the Christmas holidays.
The scheme offers physical and enriching activities together with a healthy meal and promotes nutritional education and healthy lifestyle information as well as offering opportunities to signpost families to additional sources of support.
Find out more about Healthy Holidays Leeds.
Healthy Start scheme
Provides eligible pregnant women and families with children aged under 4 years old with vouchers for milk, fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables, fresh, dried, and tinned pulses, and infant formula milk. Free vitamins are also available.