Beyond Foodbanks: Rethinking Community Support in the UK
Foodbanks have become a vital lifeline for thousands of households across the UK, offering emergency help when people face crisis. Their role is invaluable — yet the growing demand highlights a deeper issue: food insecurity cannot be solved with emergency parcels alone. To create long-term change, communities and organisations are increasingly looking at what it means to go beyond foodbanks.
1. Addressing Root Causes, Not Just Symptoms
Foodbanks meet immediate need, but they don’t tackle the structural issues behind it. Rising living costs, insecure work, benefit delays, poor housing and debt all contribute to people reaching crisis point. New support models focus on early intervention — offering benefits advice, budgeting support, debt counselling and advocacy to reduce the likelihood of repeat foodbank use.
2. Creating Dignified, Choice-Based Support
Many communities are moving towards “community pantries,” social supermarkets and pay-as-you-feel cafés. These models restore choice, dignity and autonomy by allowing people to select food rather than receiving a pre-packed parcel. They also create a more welcoming, less stigmatising environment.
3. Building Connection and Tackling Loneliness
Poverty isn’t only about lack of food; it is often accompanied by isolation. Warm hubs, community kitchens, shared meals and holiday clubs help people build relationships and access support in a relaxed setting. They create spaces where conversations can happen — and where struggles are noticed before crisis hits.
4. Empowering Communities Through Skills and Opportunities
Beyond providing food, many initiatives now offer cooking classes, community gardens, volunteering opportunities and skills programmes. These activities help people build confidence, stretch budgets, and reconnect with their community.
5. Collaborative, Local Solutions
Going beyond foodbanks is about bringing together churches, charities, councils, schools and local businesses to create holistic support networks. No single organisation can address all needs, but partnerships can ensure people don’t fall through the gaps.
By focusing on dignity, connection, prevention and community-led solutions, the UK can move towards a more resilient and compassionate support system — one that offers not just emergency food, but hope, stability and belonging.
An Invitation:
Join us at the Food Summit – Going Beyond Food Banks - use this link to book your place.
Venue: The Sjøvoll Centre, Front Street, Framwellgate Moor, Durham
Date: Saturday 14 March 2026
This Food Summit is for organisations offering food support and is delivered by Communities Together Durham in partnership with Food Durham, alongside the Beyond Food Banks Network steering group.
The day will include:
16 practical workshops to choose from
An organisation marketplace
Lunch made from surplus food, kindly supplied by Fareshare
20+ microgrants available on the day for food support organisations
A plenary session bringing learning together
The Beyond Food Banks Network, established in May 2025, now brings together over 50 organisations providing free or very low-cost food. United by a shared desire to strengthen and improve food support, the network is committed to working collaboratively.
Workshops at the summit will showcase models of food support that promote greater inclusivity, dignity, and empowerment, offer healthier choices, reduce waste, and better meet individual needs and preferences, alongside providing wrap-around support.
See you there!