Grocery savings and food assistance

Hardship payments and grants

If your benefits have been stopped or you find yourself in urgent financial need, you may be eligible for hardship payments. Your local council can provide crisis or discretionary grants to help with immediate needs such as food, heating or essential items.

Crisis grants don’t need to be repaid and the amount you may receive will depend on your council’s budget and the priority level of your application. Contact your local council for more details about hardship payments and grants.

Food assistance programmes

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army provides vital support services, including meals, shelter, financial aid and community outreach programmes. They run soup kitchens and other services to help people facing financial difficulties. You can find your nearest Salvation Army service through websites like A Church Near You or The Salvation Army’s website.

Healthy Start vouchers

If you’re pregnant (over ten weeks) or have a child under four, you may be eligible for Healthy Start vouchers to help you buy healthy food and milk. In Scotland, a similar programme called Best Start Foods offers the same support.

Free school meals

If your child qualifies for free school meals, you may also be eligible for up to £150 towards the cost of school uniforms through your local council. Check with your council to see if you quality for free school meals and any extra support.

National Breakfast Clubs

Many schools offer National Breakfast Clubs supported by a government subsidy, providing affordable breakfast options for children across the country. These breakfast clubs help ensure that children start their school day with a nutritious meal.

Holiday activities and food programmes

Children who are eligible for free school meals may also have access to free holiday activities and meals during school holidays, including the Easter, Summer and Christmas breaks. These programmes help provide additional support during times when school meals are unavailable.

Smart ways to save on food shopping

Use loyalty programmes and coupons

Take advantage of supermarket loyalty programmes and coupons to cut down on your grocery bills:

• Check online for the latest supermarket coupons and cashback deals.
• Did you know you can claim back two years’ worth of unused Tesco Clubcard vouchers? Log in to your online Clubcard account to check your voucher balance.

Shop smart

Here are some practical tips to help save money on your food shopping:

• Check weekly offers using supermarket apps to see what’s on sale.
• Shop later in the evening, when shops often reduce the price of perishable items.
• Compare prices across different supermarkets to find the best sales and offers.
• Meal plan, make a list and set a budget.
• Grow your own fruit and vegetables.
• Check out ‘wonky veg’ offerings  – they’re often discounted and just as nutritious.
• Avoid convenience stores wherever possible, as they tend to have higher prices than supermarkets.
• Opt for own-label products instead of big brands.
• Stock up on non-perishable items when they’re on sale or part of a promotion.
• Join loyalty schemes to earn points or receive special offers.
• Find budget-friendly recipes online (websites like BBC Good Food and Skint Dad offer meals at under £1 per person).

Accessing emergency food support

Food banks and soup kitchens

• If you’re struggling to afford food, local food banks can provide immediate support. You can find your nearest food bank through organisations like Trussell Trust.
• If you live in a rural area and can’t easily get to a food bank, some may offer delivery services – be sure to contact them to check.
• Soup kitchens, often run by charities and churches, provide free or low-cost hot meals to people in need, especially those facing homelessness or financial hardship. To find a local soup kitchen, check with your local council or visit charities like Trussell Trust.
• You may not need an appointment to visit a soup kitchen, but it’s a good idea to check their opening hours or whether a referral is needed.

In addition to food banks and soup kitchens, there are various community initiatives, including community meals and school meal support, that can help ease the burden of food costs.

Rescue meals with smart apps

Food waste apps can potentially save you real money, all while helping the planet.

• Too Good to Go: This app links you with cafes and shops offering surplus food that is going out of date soon at heavy discounts. You select a ‘surprise bag’, pick it up and enjoy a bargain that might have otherwise gone to waste.
• Olio: This lets people share food and household items locally instead of binning them. Just snap a quick photo, upload it to the app and someone nearby can arrange to pick it up. It’s especially handy for grabbing simple extras like fruit, bread or pantry basics before they go off.

Think ‘cost-per-meal’, not just item price

Sometimes, an ingredient that costs more upfront can be better value and may stretch further.

For example, instead of buying slices of chicken for your packed lunches, consider buying a whole chicken. While it costs more at the tills, you can use it across several meals ranging from sandwiches to dinners, making it far better value.

This mindset helps you spot bargains that save you money on a per-meal basis.

Use your freezer as an ally

Using your freezer is one of the easiest ways to cut waste and stretch your food budget. Think of it as an extra cupboard that stops good food from going in the bin.

BudgetSmart ways to use it:

• Freeze the basics: Bread, milk, cheese, herbs and even cooked rice or pasta all freeze well, provided they’re done safely. Portion them so you only defrost what you need.
• Batch cooking made easy: Double up on meals like soups, curries or pasta sauces. Eat one now and freeze the rest for a ready-made dinner.
• Save those yellow-label bargains: If you spot a reduced pack of meat or fish close to it’s use by date, it’s likely still okay to be frozen. Pop it straight in the freezer when you get home and cook it when you’re ready.
• Prep snacks and lunches: Freeze homemade breakfast muffins, flapjacks or sandwiches for quick grab and go meals that save money compared to shop bought

Using your freezer this way means you’re buying in bulk when prices are lower, keeping food for longer and cutting back on waste. Consider it three wins in one.

Swap ingredients strategically

A few clever swaps here and there in your weekly shop can make meals cheaper without losing out on taste or nutrition. It’s all about knowing where a simple switch can stretch your budget further.

BudgetSmart swaps to try:

• Fresh to frozen veg: A bag of frozen peas, broccoli or spinach is often half the price of fresh versions, lasts longer and can have more nutrients in them  due to being frozen soon after being picked[1].
• Meat to plant protein: Lentils, beans or chickpeas bulk out curries, stews and pasta sauces for pennies compared to meat. Try a half-and-half mix if you don’t want to cut meat out completely.
• Tinned instead of fresh: Tinned tomatoes, sweetcorn and fruit are cheaper, have a long shelf life and are perfect for quick meals and snacks.
• Hard cheese swaps: Parmesan can be pricey. Supermarket “Italian hard cheese” tastes similar at a much lower cost.
• Yoghurt in place of cream: Natural yoghurt or Greek yoghurt can be a healthier and cheaper alternative to cream in sauces and bakes.

These small switches add up week by week, helping you shave pounds off your shop without feeling like you’re missing out.

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[1] https://www.birdseye.co.uk/nutrition/veg-nutrition/are-frozen-vegetables-good-for–you