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Visiting a food bank or community fridge in Northern Ireland

Your local community food bank can help if you can’t afford to buy the food you need. They are safe, helpful judgement-free spaces. 

Community fridges are set up to reduce food waste. Anyone in the community can use these.

Getting help from a food bank

Usually, you can’t just walk into a food bank and get food. Instead, you need a referral from a local advice organisation, your doctor or health visitor, social services or your housing officer. They will give you a voucher that you can swap for food at the food bank

Staff at the food bank will welcome you, offer you a warm drink and chat to you about how they can help. They may have pet food and cleaning supplies, as well as food, and often know about other ways you can get help.

Using a community fridge

Anyone in the community can use a community fridge. It doesn’t matter how much you earn. Local supermarkets and businesses often donate to these spaces and they will often have fresh food like fruit and vegetables, bread, milk, meat and eggs.

If you don’t have a community fridge in your area, you might find a local food hero network on an app like Olio. These people collect surplus food, or food nearing its best-before date, from supermarkets and distribute it to anyone who wants it.

Find your nearest food bank or community fridge

Click on your nearest town to find out what help is available.

 

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Antrim Foodbank

There are Trussell Trust food banks at Rathenraw, Parkhall, Greystone, Antrim and Muckamore.

The food banks use a voucher system. Contact a partner to get a voucher.

Armagh Foodbank

There is a food bank at Armagh Elim Church. This is run in partnership with the Trussell Trust.

The food bank uses a voucher system. Contact a partner to get a voucher.

 

Ballycastle

Ballycastle has a Trussell Trust food bank at the Causeway Enterprise Centre.

This food bank uses a voucher system. You can get a voucher from:

Ballycastle also has a community fridge. Keep an eye on Ballycastle’s Community Fridge Facebook to find out when the fridge opens and what’s in stock.

Ballymena

Trussell trust food bank in Ballymena North.

There is a food bank at Green Pastures Church in Ballymena. This is run in partnership with the Trussell Trust.

The food bank uses a voucher system. Contact Ballymena food bank to find out how to get a voucher.

Cloughmills Community Action Team runs a community fridge. The fridge is open when produce is available. Keep an eye on Facebook.

 

Ballymoney

Ballymoney’s food bank is at 41 Ballymena Road. It is run in partnership with the Trussell Trust.

It uses a voucher system. Contact the food bank to find out how to get a voucher.

Ballynahinch

Ballynahinch food bank is on Windmill Street. It is run by the First Presbyterian Church and volunteers. Phone 0333 050 1167 if you need help. The phone line is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday. You can leave a message outside of those hours.

You can also get a voucher for this food bank from:

Bangor

Bangor Foodbank is at 24 Balloo Avenue. It is run in partnership with the Trussell Trust.

The foodbank uses a voucher system. Contact Bangor Foodbank to find out how to get a voucher.

Storehouse North Down is on Balloo Drive. Contact Storehouse on 075 2654 1168 if you need help.

 

Belfast

North Belfast

There are Trussell Trust food banks in:

These food banks use vouchers. Contact North Belfast Foodbank to find out how to get a voucher.

The People’s Kitchen runs a food bank and drop-in service from 1 Antrim Road (the facing Carlisle Circus roundabout). Visit their Facebook for more information.

East Belfast

The Larder community food hub is in Mersey Street, east Belfast. It is run in partnership with St Christopher’s Church.

The food bank uses a voucher system. Contact The Larder to find out how to get a voucher.

In This Together are a social supermarket in East Belfast. You can contact them via their Facebook. 

The Trussel Trust has foodbanks in Dundonald and Orangefield.  

West Belfast

The West Belfast Foodbank is in Conway Mill Courtyard. It is run by West Belfast Projects.

The food bank uses a voucher system. Contact West Belfast Foodbank to find out how to get a voucher.

Foodstock in Andersonstown provides food to people who need it. Use Foodstock’s Facebook to get in touch.

The South-West Belfast Foodbank is on the Stewartstown Road. It is run in partnership with the Trussell Trust. The food bank uses a voucher system. Contact South-West Belfast Foodbank to find out how to get a voucher.

South Belfast

There are Trussell Trust food banks in:

These food banks use a voucher system. Contact South Belfast Foodbank to find out how to get a voucher.

The Newtownbreda Foodbank is at 43 Newtownbreda Road, Belfast. It is open on Wednesday mornings from 10:30 am until 12:30 pm. This is a drop-in service. You don’t need a voucher to get help from this foodbank.

The Greater Village Regeneration Trust runs a community fridge.  Keep an eye on Facebook for opening hours and stock levels.

 

Carrickfergus

Carrickfergus Foodbank is at 75 Woodburn Road. It’s run in partnership with the Trussell Trust.

The food bank uses a voucher system. You can get a voucher from these organisations.

Carrickfergus has a community fridge on Beltoy Road. Keep an eye on Carrickfergus Community Fridge Facebook for opening hours and stock information.

 

Causeway

The Causeway Foodbank is at Vineyard Compassion in Coleraine. It’s run in partnership with the Trussell Trust.

The food bank uses a voucher system. Contact Causeway Foodbank to find out how to get a voucher.

Craigavon

Craigavon Area Foodbank delivers food to homes that have a referral voucher. It is run in partnership with the Trussell Trust.

The food bank uses a voucher system. Contact Craigavon Area Foodbank to find out how to get a voucher.

Portadown Wellness Centre runs a community fridge. The fridge is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings from 5pm to 7.30pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 12 noon.

 

Downpatrick

The Fountain Foodbank is based in Downpatrick Presbyterian Church Hall. It is run by volunteers from all backgrounds.

The food bank uses a voucher system. You can get a voucher from:

Inch Parish Church runs a food bank on Wednesdays from 11:00 to 1:00 pm.

The food bank uses a voucher system but can also help if there is an emergency and you don’t have a voucher. Contact the Inch food bank to find out how to get a voucher.

Dromore

There’s a well established food bank in Dromore called Via Wings who work on breaking the cycle of poverty in the local community. 

Dundonald

Dundonald Foodbank has locations on the Upper Newtownards Road and the Castlereagh Road. It is run in partnership with the Trussell Trust.

It uses a voucher system. Contact Dundonald Foodbank to find out how to get a voucher.

 

Dungannon

Reach Foodbank operates out of Storehouse in Church Lane, Dungannon. 

It is a drop-in service and opens on Thursdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Support workers at local agencies can also refer someone to the foodbank. 

Me, You and Them operates a foodbank from Thomas Street in Dungannon.

It is a drop-in service and opens 3 mornings a week. You don’t need a voucher for this foodbank. You can email or telephone if you need help.

Dungiven

Dungiven has a community fridge, run by the Dungiven Regeneration Club. Keep an eye on the Dungiven Regeneration Club Facebook for opening hours and stock information.

Enniskillen

Enniskillen Foodbank has locations in Enniskillen, Irvinestown and Newtownbutler. It is run in partnership with the Trussell Trust.

The food bank runs a voucher system.  Contact Enniskillen Foodbank to find out how to get a voucher.

 

Foyle

Foyle Foodbank is at the Apex Living Centre. It is run in partnership with the Trussell Trust.

The food bank uses a voucher system. Contact Foyle Foodbank to find out how to get a voucher.

There is a community fridge in Creggan Country Park. Keep an eye on Creggan Country Park Facebook for opening hours and stock information.

 

Kilkeel

Cornerstone Foodbank is on Newry Street in Kilkeel. It is run by volunteers from the local community.

You need an agency to refer you to Cornerstone Foodbank. You can be referred by:

Larne

The Larne Foodbank is at Craigyhill Methodist Church. It is run in partnership with the Trussell Trust.

This food bank uses a voucher system. Contact Larne Foodbank to find out how to get a voucher.

Larne’s community fridge is on the Promenade. Keep an eye on Larne Community Fridge Facebook for opening hours and stock information.

Limavady

Roe Valley Foodbank is in the grounds of Limavady Community Development Initiative. It is run by volunteers.

The food bank uses a voucher system. You can get a voucher from:

  • Salvation Army: 028 777 68067 / 07834022257
  • St Vincent De Paul: 07512360388
  • Maureen – Social Worker at Scroggy Road: H/C 028 777 61111 / 61122
  • Patricia – Social Worker at Bovally M/C: 028 777 66352 / 66354
  • Dry Arch Children’s Centre: 028 777 42904
  • First Housing Floating Support: 07894096210
  • Limavady Methodist Church: 028 772 30638
  • Limavady Family Centre: Contact through Facebook
  • Local Churches

Magilligan has a community fridge in its community centre on Seacoast Road. Keep an eye on Magilligan Community Fridge Facebook to find out when the fridge is open and what’s in stock.

Lisburn

Lisburn Foodbank is at LCC Community Trust in Graham Gardens. It is run in partnership with the Trussell Trust.

The food bank uses a voucher system. Contact Lisburn Foodbank to find out how to get a voucher.

Lisburn’s community fridge is at the Laganview Enterprise complex. Keep an eye on Resurgam’s Community Fridge Facebook for opening hours and stock information.

 

Magherafelt

Magherafelt Foodbank is at Magherafelt Baptist Church. It is run in partnership with the Trussell Trust.

The food bank operates a voucher system. Contact Magherafelt Foodbank to find out how to get a voucher.

There is a community fridge at the Maghera Heritage Centre. To find out more contact info@maghera-heritage.org.uk or telephone: 028 7964 2677

 

Newcastle

The Pantry Foodbank is in Newcastle. It is run by volunteers.

The food bank is open Mondays and Thursdays from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Contact The Pantry Foodbank if you need help:

Newry

The Larder Foodbank is on St Mary’s Street in Newry. 

The Larder can also help with clothing, toiletries and fuel top-ups.

Visit the Larder’s Facebook page to find out more

Newtownabbey

Newtownabbey Foodbank has locations in Carnmoney, Newtownabbey and Ballyclare. It is run in partnership with the Trussell Trust.

This food bank uses a voucher system. You can get a voucher for Newtownabbey Foodbank from:

Newtownards

Newtownards Foodbank has locations in Newtownards and Kircubbin. It is run in partnership with the Trussell Trust.

This food bank uses a voucher system. You can get a voucher from:

The Warehouse in Newtownards runs a community fridge and a well-fed project providing food and groceries at low prices.

 

Omagh

REACH Foodbank is on Market Street. It is run by Life Triumphant Church

Contact Reach if you need help.

Whitehead

Whitehead Foodbank is on Balmoral Avenue and is provided by Storehouse.

Whitehead Foodbank can provide up to 3 days’ worth of emergency food supplies if you are in need. Contact Storehouse if you need help.

There is a community fridge in Islandmagee. Keep an eye on Islandmagee Community Garden Facebook for opening hours and stock information

 

Strabane

Strabane Foodbank is in Grass Roots Food Market. It is run in partnership with the Trussell Trust.

This food bank uses a voucher system. Contact Strabane Foodbank to find out how to get a voucher.