Saving money on food shopping

Community food support

Important Note

Always check dates & times directly with the venue or via their social media/website, as these can change.

Stoke Area

Affordable Food Stoke – Blurton

  • What’s offered:
    • Free food section (no referral): Tues–Sat, 10am–12pm (bring a bag).
    • Emergency food parcels for families in crisis (contact them).
    • Community café: Low-cost meals, drinks & cakes: Thurs & Fri 10am–2pm, Sat 10am–12pm.
    • Social supermarket (No 87): Membership only (£4.50 for 10 items/week). Open Thurs, Fri, Sat.
    • Community Lounge: Tues, Weds, Thurs & Sat 10am–12pm – free brew & toast, social space.
    • Friday Dining: 12pm (term time) – main, pudding & drink for £3.
  • Extra support: Friendly space, social activities.
  • Contact:

The Bread and Butter Thing

  • What’s offered: Three bags of food for £8.50.
  • How to join:
    • Text 07507 237311 with name, postcode & hub name OR sign up online: breadandbutterthing.org
  • Locations & Times:
    • Bentilee Family Hub, Dawlish Drive, ST2 0HP – Tues 1:30–2pm
    • Chell Heath Family Hub, Bishop Rd, ST6 6QW – Thurs 1:30–2pm
    • Normacot Family Hub, Buccleuch Rd, ST3 4RF – Fri 12–12:30pm
    • Blurton, The Hive, ST3 3JU – Wed 12:30–1pm

Other Stoke Services

  • Longton – Scouse’s Snacks:

    • Subsidised café (50p–£3), allergies catered, children’s play area.
    • Mon–Fri 10am–2pm at U7 Urban Arts Centre, Sutherland Rd, ST3 1HT
    • Tel: 07593 298433
    • Facebook: Standingtall2gether

  • YMCA Hanley Local Pantry:

    • Weekly subscription £4.50 for discounted groceries.
    • Thurs & Fri: 12–4pm
    • Address: Harding Road, ST1 3AE
    • Tel: 01782 289440
    • Email: yourlocalpantry@ymcans.org.uk

  • Free Community Meals at YMCA Hanley:

    • First Friday of each month, 12pm – all welcome.
    • Tel: 01782 222376
    • Email: hello@ymcans.org.uk

  • Birches Head Get Growing:

    • Last Sat of month: 10–12 free swap shop (food, seeds, items).
    • Tues & Thurs: Fare Share free shop & breakfast club 10:30–11:30.
    • Location: Bridge Centre, ST2 8DD
    • Facebook: BirchesHeadGetGrowing

  • Temple St Methodist Church & Community Centre, Fenton:

    • Weekly meal: Tues 12–1:30pm (£2 adults, 50p children).
    • Safe Harbour Café: Thurs 9:30–12 (free drinks & toast).
    • Heat & Eat: Thurs 5–7pm (free soup & drink).
    • Tel: 07902 625069

  • Salvation Army (Smallthorne):

    • Thurs 10:30–11:30 Coffee Morning & Food Hub (free tea & biscuits + food bag).
    • Address: Camp Road, ST6 1LF
    • Tel: 01782 832422
    • Email: stokeontrent@salvationarmy.org.uk

  • St Paul’s Church, Blurton:

    • Wed Open House: Free tea/coffee, toast, Wi-Fi.
    • Tel: 01782 598366
    • Facebook: St Paul’s Church

  • Better Together Community Support, Trent Vale:

    • Hug in a Mug Café: Wed 1–2:30pm (free hot meal).
    • Community Fridge: Sat 10am–12pm.
    • Warm Space: Mon–Fri 9:30am–1pm.
    • HQ: Woodberry Close, ST4 5LU
    • Website: bettertogethercommunitystoke.org
    • Tel: 07769 293936

  • Meir Matters – Community Lounge:

    • Mon & Fri 10am–12pm (free food, drinks, advice).
    • Location: Former Library, Sandon Rd, ST3 7DJ

Stoke North Area

  • Port Vale FC Foundation Community Cupboard:

  • Tunstall – Community CAN Social Supermarket:

    • Membership free, items £5 or £7.50.
    • Wed & Fri 10am–3pm, Sat 10:30am–4:30pm
    • Location: Unit 24 Tunstall Indoor Market, ST6 5TP
    • Tel: 07411 151819
    • Email: Thecommunitycan@yahoo.com

  • Burslem Community Grocery:

    • Mon–Fri 10am–4pm
    • £5 annual membership, discounted shop (12 items £5, etc.).
    • Address: Swan Bank Methodist, ST6 2AA
    • Website: communitygrocery.org.uk/burslem
    • Tel: 01782 695511

  • Chell Parish Pantry:

    • Free pantry, Thurs 12–2pm
    • Location: Church of the Saviour, Sprink Bank Rd
    • Website: chellparish.org.uk

  • Chell Heath Residents Association:

    • Welcoming Space: Mon & Wed 8–11am (free food, tea, laptops).
    • Address: 461/463 Chell Heath Rd, ST6 6HJ
    • Tel: 07884 168430

  • Fegg Hayes Hub:

    • Community Shop: Mon–Fri 9am–3pm
    • Tues: Warm Space (10–12) + Lunch Club (£4)
    • Tel: 01782 761134
    • Website: fegghayes.org.uk

  • CAFAG @ Whitfield Valley Centre:

    • Café: Mon–Fri 9:30–12 (closed Wed)
    • Mon: Over 55s Lunch Club (£6)
    • Wed: Free drink & toast
    • Website: cafagwvc.org.uk
    • Tel: 01782 878843