HELP AVAILABLE ACCESSING FOOD AND WITH THE COST OF LIVING RISE

Accessing food during the cost of living crisis

If you’re struggling to afford food at the moment, there are organisations and schemes across the city which can help you.  There are a number of foodbanks across Bristol for those who are eligible, with friendly volunteers available to talk about your needs and how they might be able to help:

• North Bristol and South Gloucestershire Foodbank https://nbsg.foodbank.org.uk/
• Bristol North West Foodbank and Homebank www.bristolnorthwestfoodbank.org.uk
• South and East Bristol Foodbank  https://eastbristol.foodbank.org.uk 

Visit the Too Good to Go website to find out how you can buy food from cafes, restaurants and shops at a reduced price, when it hasn't sold in time. https://toogoodtogo.org/en
On the Olio website you can find people giving away free food to their community. https://olioex.com/ 

After some top tips to help you save money on food?

• Plan your meals – buying food for the week helps to cut down on impulse buys
• If you can, buy food like rice and pasta in bulk – it is often much cheaper per 100g than smaller bags
• ‘Reduced to clear’ foods can help save money – but think about when/how you’ll eat them before you buy
• Buy what you need - buying loose fruit & veg can help you save money by buying only what you are going to eat

How to get cost of living support

The rising cost of living is impacting people across Bristol in different ways. To help support people most impacted, including those who have not faced financial challenge before, the council has a cost of living support webpage: www.bristol.gov.uk/costofliving

It provides advice and guidance on topics including housing, benefits and financial help, employment and skills, mental health and wellbeing, and provides links to useful websites and community organisations. It also includes information on the city's network of Welcoming Spaces where people can meet up, socialise, keep warm and access support relating to the cost of living crisis. There are now 37 spaces open in the city.

Our Citizen Service Point, located at 100 Temple Street, BS1 6AG, is also on hand if you need help using the council’s services or need access to a computer. The opening hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am to 5pm, Wednesday 10am to 5pm. The service is closed on bank holidays.

You can also call the We Are Bristol phone line on 0800 694 0184, Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm