Affordable Food Clubs, such as Pantries and Social Supermarkets, provide vital support in communities across the UK, helping people to stretch their budgets further and access a choice of nutritious food at affordable prices. In addition, many act as community hubs, offering social opportunities, cooking and nutrition activities, and access to advice services. As of November 2024, Feeding Britain supports a network of 396 Affordable Food Clubs, in 123 regional and local partnerships. Located across the UK, these Affordable Food Clubs serve almost 105,000 households, supporting an estimated 200,000 adults and 90,000 children, with 40,000 households shopping each week. This is a growth of almost 15,000 member households over the last 6 months, with Affordable Food Clubs reporting that, on average, 22% of their members joined within this period. This reflects an increase in the number of people struggling to afford food and other essentials, as well as a wider shift within the voluntary, community, and faith sector towards the provision of affordable food, rather than crisis support such as emergency food parcels.
On average, people spend £6.45 each week at their Affordable Food Club, while taking home food valued at £22.15. This results in an average weekly saving of £15.70 per household, and collectively represents savings of millions of pounds every year for those accessing Affordable Food Clubs across the Feeding Britain network. Almost two thirds of members also benefit from the social opportunities, wraparound support, credit union services and cooking activities offered by many Affordable Food Club. This can include expert advice with issues such as debt, benefits, housing and immigration. Those who engage in these activities report significant improvements in health and wellbeing, underscoring the role of Affordable Food Clubs as shared spaces where people can access low-cost, healthy food, but also address broader social needs and foster a sense of connection and belonging.
[The Pantry] allows me to eat fresh fruit and stretch out my money for shopping. It means I can get extra bits that I cannot afford.
Affordable Food Clubs source their food from a diverse range of suppliers, offering members access to a variety of nutritious options. A significant portion of this food often comes from surplus, with an estimated 150,000 kilos redistributed to members each week, preventing it from going to waste. This relies on the dedication of staff and volunteers, who play a vital role in keeping Affordable Food Clubs running. Across the Feeding Britain network, we estimate that there are over 4,000 volunteers, with each club supported by an average of 11 volunteers. In many clubs, members become volunteers, fostering a sense of commitment, shared ownership and solidarity.
In the summer of 2024, Feeding Britain worked with researchers to explore the impact of Affordable Food Clubs on the people they support. The findings were overwhelmingly positive, showing that these clubs significantly increase access to healthy food, with 98% of members reporting that, as a result of their Affordable Food Club, they are more able to afford to eat balanced meals. This directly translates into healthier eating habits, with 75% of members stating that they now eat more fruits and vegetables. These impacts go beyond nutrition, contributing to improved wellbeing for a majority of members. Furthermore, nearly two-thirds of members have accessed additional activities or support services, from debt and housing advice to cooking workshops, through their Affordable Food Club, underscoring the vital role these settings play as community hubs. Affordable Food Clubs are not just about providing food—they’re about building healthier, more connected, and resilient communities across the UK.
You get to pick your food and there are so many more options than anywhere else, it really helps my budget!