Help with food costs

If you get certain benefits, your child may be able to get free school meals during term time. 

In Southwark, nursery and primary school pupils who do not qualify can still get a free meal. Some secondary school pupils may also receive free meals.

If you have one or more children attending a Southwark school and qualify for benefits-related free school meals, you will receive help to pay for their meals during the school hoildays. 

You will automatically receive £3 per day for each eligible child as a Post Office voucher before each school holiday.

You can apply for a replacement voucher if it:

• has not arrived
• has incorrect details
• expired, lost, or stolen

Our Food and Fun holiday programme offers free, healthy meals and activities for children during the Easter, summer, and winter school holidays. 

It is for kids ages 4 to 16 who receive free school meals or lack access to public funds. 

Children can enjoy sports and arts and crafts along with daily meals and snacks.

Healthy Start is a national program that helps pregnant women and families with children under 4 who receive certain benefits to buy healthy food and milk.

Check if you're eligible and apply for Healthy Start.

The Southwark Food Action Alliance's food map provides information on various low-cost and free food services in Southwark.

The map is independent and we cannot verify the information is accurate.

Community fridges help people and local businesses share food, rather than letting it go to waste.

The Food Bus is a double-decker that travels around London, offering affordable groceries and household items. 

Food pantries provide low cost food to residents in need. You need to be a member.

Peckham Pantry, Peckham Park Road (Pecan)

Open on:

• Wednesday and Friday 9am to 4pm
• Tuesday 10am to 4pm
• Thursday 10am to 7pm
• Saturday 9am to 3pm

Contact:

• email pantry@pecan.org.uk
• call 020 7277 7075 
• 49-53 Peckham Park Road, SE15 6TU

Peckham Pantry, St Luke's Church (Pecan)

Open on Wednesday 10am to 2pm.

Contact:

• email pantry@pecan.org.uk
• call 020 7277 7075
• St Luke’s Church, Chandler Way, SE15 6DT

Love North Southwark: Bermondsey Pantry

Open on Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm (by appointment only).

Contact:

• email lovenorthsouthwark@outlook.com
• call 07730 465 160
• 4-5 Slippers Place, Gataker Street, SE16 2EN 

The Borough Food Co-operative

Open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 11am to 3pm.

Contact:

• email food@sgtm.org.uk
• call 020 7357 7331 
• St George the Martyr Church, Borough High Street, SE1 1JA 

Paxton Green time bank: Paxton Pantry

Open on Tuesdays 12 noon to 4pm.

Contact:

• email food@stgeorge-themartyr.co.uk 
• Unit 32 Seeley Drive, Kingswood Estate, SE21 8QR

Food banks provide food donations to those in need. You need to be referred to access one. 

Get referred by contacting the Southwark Community Support Alliance.

Pecan food banks 

Pecan works using a voucher referral system. To get help from one of Pecan’s food banks, you'll need a voucher issued by a local agency before arriving at a centre. 

Contact them by:

• emailing foodbank.support@pecan.org.uk
• calling 020 7732 0007 

Spring Community Hub food banks  

Spring Community Hub works on a voucher referral system. Contact them by:

• emailing office@springcommunityhub.org 
• calling 07901 617 189

Hope Tuesday Café

Hold social activities including quizzes after lunch with tea, coffee and cake.

Opening to all on Tuesdays, 1pm to 2.30pm - lunch

Contact:

• email hello@cityhope.london
• call 020 7993 3934
• City Hope Church, 121 Drummond Road, Bermondsey, SE16 2JY

All Saints Church Café

The community café provides tea, coffee and cakes. Also other activities and free wi-fi. 

Open to all on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9.30am to 11am

Contact:

• email hello@allsaintspeckham.org.uk
• call 020 3637 2701 
• online All Saints Peckham
• All Saints Church, 8 Blenheim Grove, Peckham SE15 4QS (the café is in the main church, not the hall)

Foodcycle Peckham

Open on:

• Wednesdays 5pm to 6pm
• Saturdays, 5.30pm to 6.30pm

Contact:

• email peckham@foodcycle.org.uk
• call 020 7729 2775 
• online Foodcycle Peckham
• All Saints Church Hall, 7 Blenheim Grove, Peckham SE15 4QS

The Castle Canteen 

They serve a 3-course lunch in the community canteen.

Open to all on Mondays, 1pm to 2.30pm.

Contact:

• email hello@be-enriched.org
• website Be-enriched canteen
• Crossways Church Hall, 18 Hampton Street, SE17 3AL

Webber Street Day Centre 

For local rough sleepers and homeless people (aged 18+).

Open for:

• breakfast, Monday to Thursday and Saturday 8.30am to 12 noon
• lunch, Monday to Wednesday at 1pm
• clothing, toiletries and advice, Fridays 9am to 12 noon

Closed the first Wednesday of every month

Contact:

• email wsenquiries@lcm.org.uk 
• call 020 7928 1677 
• online Webber street
• 6-8 Webber Street, Waterloo SE1 8QA

Walworth Living Room

Cafe, community fridge and social activities. Some activities are free, others have a low cost. 

Open to all for brunch, Fridays 10am to 12 noon.

Hot meal for the way home from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. You need to sign up for this at Walworth Living Room

Contact:

• email info@pembrokehouse.org.uk
• call 020 7703 3808 
• online Walworth Living Room
• Temporary location: 80 Tatum Street, Walworth, SE17 1QR