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Foodbanks, free food, and low cost food

You can get free and lowcost food from various locations across Havering.

What is a foodbank?

A foodbank is a place where you can get free or low-cost food if you are unable to buy it.

Foodbanks give out food parcels. They usually give out enough food to last you at least three days.

Foodbanks are welcoming and supportive places. You will be able to get information and advice when you are there. The volunteers will listen to you and try to support you.

A woman in a wheelchair prepares food in a kitchen, opening a bag of vegetables in front of an open refrigerator stocked with condiments, bottles, and groceries.

How to get food from a foodbank

Step 1: Get a voucher

Icon of two overlapping tickets with the word VOUCHER on the front ticket, displayed on a light green circular background.

You need a voucher to get food from most foodbanks. You can get a voucher from a local organisation, known as a referral agency. Contact the foodbank by email or phone to be directed to a referral agency.

Citizens Advice Havering, Havering Volunteer’s Centre, Peabody, children’s centres and health visitors are referral agencies in Havering. The National Food Parcel Helpline can also help you get a voucher. Their telephone number is 08082082138. This is a free telephone number.

They will ask for some basic information so that they can support you beyond your food parcel.

Step 2: Go to the foodbank

Line drawing of a box with a heart symbol, containing a bottle and food items, on a green circular background.

Once you have a voucher you can go to the foodbank and get your emergency food parcel.

The foodbanks will also contact you once they have received your voucher electronically and have prepared your parcel. Make sure you provide your mobile telephone number and let them know any dietary requirement you have. This will help the foodbank prepare your parcel.

Make sure you check the opening hours before you go.

Find a foodbank near you

Rainham Foodbank: Rainham Foodbank is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 12:00 – 3:00pm. First Floor, The Mick Fury House, RM13 8HT. Call 01708397484 for a referral.

Harold Hill Foodbank: Harold Hill Foodbank is open Monday – Friday, 10:30am -1:30pm (excluding bank holidays). Unit 1, Guardian Business Centre, Faringdon Avenue, RM3 AFD. Call Help Through Hardship line on 01708 386323 for a foodbank referral.

Collier Row & Romford Foodbanks: There are three foodbank locations in Collier Row and Romford. Romford Baptist Church is open 12:00-2:00pm every Monday (excluding bank holidays). St Edward’s CofE Church is open 10:30am -12:30pm every Wednesday. The Ascension Church is open 12:30pm – 2:30pm every Friday. Call 0808 2982138 for a foodbank referral.

Havering Islamic Cultural Centre: You do not need a voucher to go to this foodbank. There is no need for a referral. You can come as often as needed. The foodbank is open 10:00 am – 11:00 am every Saturday, at 9 Bridge Close.

What to expect when you go to the foodbank

When you go to the foodbank you will be welcomed by volunteers. They will be warm and friendly – they know times can be tough.

You will exchange your foodbank voucher for three days of emergency food. Make sure you let them know any dietary requirements, such as allergies, religious requirements, or dietary preferences.

Your food will be packed into supermarket bags. You can bring your own if you would like.

A typical food parcel contains breakfast cereal, soup, pasta, rice, tinned sauce, tinned beans, tinned vegetables, tea or coffee, and snacks.

You may be able to get some toiletries such as sanitary towels, toilet roll and toothpaste, as well as pet food if it is available.

This video, created by Bow Foodbank, can help you explain what a foodbank is to children.

This video, created by Trussel, explains how foodbanks work. You may wish to watch it before you go.

Frequently asked questions

Why do I need to be referred?

Three people in a kitchen prepare food together, smiling and chatting. An older woman wears an orange apron, while a younger woman and a man in a pink turban are also helping with the meal prep. Vegetables are on the counter.

A food voucher is needed to get a parcel from the foodbank. You must be referred to make sure you get the right help. The organisation will be able to understand your needs and connect you to longer-term support. The voucher also helps the volunteers at the foodbank. It makes sure they know how many people are in your household and if you have any special dietary requirements.

Can I go to the foodbank more than once?

Two older adults, a woman and a man, sit close together at a table, smiling happily at the camera. The man’s arm is around the woman’s shoulders. The setting appears to be a community or social event.

Yes, but you need to get a new food voucher each time.

The general rule is that you can get three food parcels within six months. If you require more than three food parcels, you need to explain this to your agency. They may need to contact the foodbank before your voucher can be issued.

What about my dietary requirements?

A person holding a fork is about to eat from a white plate with rice, fish, and assorted vegetables or curry dishes, sitting at a light-colored table.

Let your referral agency know of your dietary requirement, as they can make a note on your voucher that the foodbank will see.

Foodbanks can provide parcels for a range of needs including people with diabetes, gluten intolerance, vegetarians and halal. They will also try to adapt your parcel if you have food allergies.

Low-cost food in Havering

There are a number of places you can get low cost food in Havering.

Harold Hill Community Food Shop – Harold Hill Library: If your postcode starts with RM1, RM2, RM3, RM4, RM5, RM6, RM7, RM11, RM12, RM13, RM14 you can join the Harold Hill Community Food shop. For £6 a week you can buy discounted fruit, vegetables, and store cupboard items. The pantry is open Tuesdays: 1.00pm - 3.45pm and Thursdays: 1.00pm - 3.45pm. Contact the pantry on 01708 776770 or email communityfoodshop@peabody.org.uk

Tapestry Community Food Shop – Rainham: If you live in Rainham you can join the Tapestry Community Food Shop. For £6 a week you can buy discounted fruit, vegetables, and store cupboard items. The pantry is open on Wednesday’s, 11:00am – 1:00pm. Call 01708 796600 for more information.

Havering Islamic Cultural Centre Soup Kitchen: Every Wednesday at 6:00 pm you can get a hot meal from the HICC. 91 Waterloo Road, Romford, Essex, RM7 0AA.

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9 September 2025

Harold Hill Community Hub & Food Pantry

Community Hubs in Havering Our Community Hubs offer free, in-person support and advice for residents who may need help accessing services or finding cost-of-living support. Run jointly with our local...

9 October 2025