Food is a big part of life in Gloucestershire; it can bring us together, improve our health, and strengthen our local economy and the environment. However, the reality is that in Gloucestershire, as in the wider country, there are members of our communities who are worrying about their next shop or struggling to access healthy food that meets their cultural or dietary needs.
While so many fantastic local organisations are working to help, it can be stressful to find food support, and there has been no central place for people to see what is available across the county.
That is why Feeding Gloucestershire has launched a new online Community Food Map. This directory brings together over 115 organisations from across each of the county’s six districts into one updated space. It has been developed with community partners and not only makes support easier to find, but also gives a clear picture of Gloucestershire’s food support system, helping Feeding Gloucestershire and partners coordinate services, identify gaps, and strengthen local networks.
Finding the Right Support for You
The map shines a spotlight on the wide range of support available locally, from free food parcels to affordable groceries and community meals, alongside social connection and wider support.
Every listing on the map reflects the hard work of local volunteers and community groups. As Joanna Scott from Feeding Gloucestershire puts it:
“Across the county, so many of our community food organisations are working with dedication and kindness. They rescue food that would otherwise go to landfill, buy from local growers, and offer warm spaces and advice for anyone who needs it. This map makes that support more visible and easier to access.”
The map is designed to help you find the right support quickly and easily, searchable by town, organisation name, or type of support. We’ve categorised these services so you can see exactly what is available in your neighbourhood:
- Food Bank: Provides free emergency food parcels to people in crisis who are unable to afford food.
- Food Pantry: A membership-based club where you can choose food in a shop-style setting at a reduced cost.
- Community Fridge: A shared space where surplus food is available for anyone to take for free, helping to reduce waste.
- Lunch Club: Friendly, welcoming spaces providing fresh, cooked meals and a chance to socialise, often aimed at older residents.
- Community Eating Space: Offers free, low-cost, or “pay-as-you-can” meals in a welcoming environment.
- Children and Families Food Support: Specific projects including holiday activity programmes and breakfast clubs.
- Growing & Cooking Projects: Initiatives focused on cooking skills or community-led food growing, such as allotments and gardens – connecting people with where food comes from.
A Connected System - Our Vision
The Gloucestershire Food Map is the first output from our project to develop a community supermarket model for the county. Developed with funding from Gloucestershire County Council’s Household Support Fund, the map will grow organically as organisations request updates or new listings.
It’s part of a bigger vision for a Gloucestershire where everyone can access affordable, nutritious food, connect with their community, and make choices about what, where, and when they eat.
The Gloucestershire Food Map is free to use and available here
Whether you’re looking for support yourself or helping someone else, we encourage you to explore the map and share it with others who may need it.
