Here are some of the possible places families can receive free or low cost food over the school summer holidays.
Please contact the organisation directly for more information on what is available. You can see full details by selecting the areas below.
Blue squares = Foodbanks, Red circles = Other provision
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Exeter
Cook. Move. Create., St Sidwell’s Community Centre, Exeter
A free summer programme taking place during the summer holidays for children and young adults (aged 8-15). Participants learn cooking skills, make healthy meals together, and use crafts and other activities to record recipes and learn about nutrition and where food comes from.
Courses will run:
- 29th July – 2nd August, 10:00-14:00 @ Cranbrook Education Campus
- 5th – 9th August, 10:00-14:00 @ Cranbrook Education Campus
- 19th – 23rd August, 10:00-14:00 @ Newtown Primary School
For more information and booking, please contact events@stsidwells.org.uk or call 01392 666222.
Salvation Army Community Lunch
Salvation Army, Friars Gate, Exeter, EX2 4AZ
Join the Salvation Army for a community lunch, every Sunday 1-2pm.
Food Cycle Exeter
Wonford Community and Learning Centre, Burnthouse Lane, Exeter, EX2 6NF
Join FoodCycle Exeter for a tasty 3 course meal made from surplus food. They’re delicious, nutritious and totally free. Every Tuesday from 18:00.
Contact: exeter@foodcycle.org.uk
Exeter Food Fight
NatWest, Cowick St, Exeter , EX4 1DE
Exeter Food Fight offer free vegetarian cooked meals and cake every Sunday, 11am-1pm.
Exeter Foodbank
The Beacon Community Centre, Beacon Lane, Beacon Heath, Exeter EX4 8LZ and The Mint Methodist Church, Fore Street, Exeter, EX4 3AT
Monday – Friday, 11:30-14:00 @ The Mint Methodist Church
Friday, 10:00-12:00 @ Beacon Community CentrePlease note – the foodbank remains a referral only service. Contact Foodbank for details of agencies registered to distribute vouchers – info@exeterfoodbank.org.uk
Chatterbox Community Café, Alphington
Alphington Village Hall, Ide Lane, Exeter, EX2 8UP
A community run café open every Friday morning, 9:00 – 12:00, providing light refreshments. There are no fixed prices – customers are welcome to donate whatever they wish.
contact: 01392 662553
Community Café, Wonford
Wonford Community and Learning Centre, Burnthouse Lane, Exeter, EX2 6NF
A community run café providing low cost food and free meals for families during the school holidays. Open every Thursday 10am – 1pm.
contact: 01392 217868 or email volunteer-wclc@outlook.com
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Eastern Devon
Seaton Foodbank
Number 1, Harepath Road, Seaton, EX12 3JQ
Wednesday – 14:00-16:00
Please note – this is a referral only service. Vouchers are issued by local service professionals, Children’s Centre, East Devon District Council, Churches, Social Services, Health professionals and other statutory services.
Contact: 07598927997 or foodbankseaton@gmail.com
Ottery St Mary Foodbank
United Reformed Church, Jesu Street, Ottery St. Mary, EX11 1EU
Friday – 13:30-14:30
Please note – this is a referral only service. Vouchers are issued by local service professionals, Children’s Centre, East Devon District Council, Churches, Social Services, Health professionals and other statutory services.
For more information please phone 07907 232076
Honiton Foodbank
The King’s Centre, Lees Buildings, Hight St, Honiton, EX14 1DH
Tuesday – 13:00-15:00
Friday – 13:00-15:00Food vouchers can be obtained from Honiton Children’s Centre, MIND, St Paul’s Church, Honiton Town Council Offices, East Devon District Council Housing Officers and the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Phone 07907 232076 or email osmfoodbank@gmail.com
Health and Local Food for Families (HALFF)
HALFF is a registered charity set up to help people cook delicious healthy food for themselves and their families. The activities are FREE of charge and are run in: Axminster, Bridport, Chard, Cranbrook, Crewkerne, Exmouth, Honiton, Ottery St Mary, Seaton, Sidmouth.
They offer services to people: weaning their baby, cooking for children, living alone, cooking for others, cooking on a budget, lacking confidence in cooking, want to be more healthy or need to lose/gain weight. Please contact to learn what may be available over the summer holidays
Phone 01297 631782, email admin@halff.org.uk or visit www.halff.org.uk
Exmouth Community Larder (Foodbank)
Salvation Army, Sheppards Row, Exmouth, EX8 1PW
Monday – 13:30-15:00
Friday – 13:30-15:00Vouchers can be applied for in the Open Door Café, Citizens Advice Bureau or EDDC Support Office, or other local statutory services.
Contact 07749322291 or help@exmouthlarder.co.uk for more information.
Open Door Exmouth
Church Street, Exmouth, EX8 1PE
This centre provides free hot meals during school holidays to children and their families who find themselves in need due to financial crisis. The café is open on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9.30am and 3pm.
Contact: 01395 224218 or info@opendoorexmouth.org.uk
Axminster Foodbank
Axminster Health & Wellbeing Centre, Hanover House, Chard Street, Axminster, EX13 5DZ
Monday to Friday – 10:00-12:00
Referrals accepted from the following organisations churches, Children’s Centre, EDDC Devon County Council, Medical Practitioners and Support Workers.
Phone: 01297 32331
NOURISH Axminster
Axe Valley Academy, Chard Street, Axminster, EX13 5EA
Thursday – 12:00-14:00
Children and students entitled to free school meals have been given cards to show their eligibility for the Holiday Hunger service through their schools at the end of term.
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Northern Devon
Holsworthy Good Neighbours Luncheon Club
Holsworthy Memorial Hall, North Road, Holsworthy, EX22 6DJ
Luncheon Club held twice a week in Holsworthy, Monday and Thursday from 12pm. Cost – £4
Phone: 01409 254180
Visit: holsworthyinformationcentre.co.uk
Torrington Foodbank
Baptist Church, New St, Torrington, EX38 8BS and Castle Hill Building, South St, EX38 8AA
Tuesday – 10:00-12:00 @ Baptist Church
Saturday – 10:00-12:00 @ Castle HillPlease note – this is a referral service only. Vouchers issued by local service professionals.
North Devon Welcombe Luncheon Club, Bideford
Village Hall, Welcombe, Bideford, EX39 6HF
Welcombe Lunch Club is held twice a month at the Village Hall with a three-course meal. Anyone is welcome to come along but please let us know in advance for the catering.
If you wish to know more or want to know the dates, please call Sheila Wade on 01288 331391 or Helen on 01288 33427.
Northern Devon Foodbanks
Emergency out of hours service available. Voucher issued by local service professionals.
Barnstaple, St John’s Community Centre, Rose Lane, EX32 8PG
Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 10.30am – 1.30pm.
Bideford, Supreme House, Pitt Lane, EX39 3JA
Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 10.30am – 1.30pm.
Ilfracombe, Salvation Army Community Hall, Torrs Park, EX34 8AY
Tuesday and Friday: 10:30am – 1:30pm.
South Molton, YMCA Centre, Mill St, EX36 4AS
Thursday: 10am – 12:30pm.
Waste-Not Café, Ilfracombe
Belle’s Place, Lee Place, Ilfracombe, EX34 9BQ
Open every Saturday morning 9-10am, an opportunity to collect donated fruit, vegetables and split packets from local supermarkets.
For more information please check out the Waste Not Cafe – Ilfracombe Facebook page or search @wastenotllfracombe.
North Devon Homes Youth Service
Operate a youth club which meets throughout the school holidays in both Forches area of Barnstaple and Slade Valley in Ilfracombe. The Youth Club is open to all children and includes:
- A Junior Youth Club (ages 6–8 years)
- Youth club for 9-20 years with activities to suit every age.
Other activities are taking place during the summer holidays. For more information please visit NDH
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Western Devon
Holsworthy Foodbank and Pop-in Centre
Manor Suite, Memorial Hall, Holsworthy, EX22 6DJ
Every Wednesday between 2pm-4pm.
Please note – this is a referral scheme only.
Okehampton Foodbank
Okehampton Baptist Church, 23 Fore St, Okehampton, EX20 1AN
Friday: 10am-12 noon
Email enquiries@okefoodbank.org.uk
Food parcels are provided via a voucher scheme, please contact any of the following voucher holders; Citizens Advice Bureau, Room 12, Community Lynx, Health Visitors or Social Services.
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Mid Devon
Tiverton Foodbank
Coggans Well House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton, EX16 6LU
Monday – Friday: 10am-12 noon, and 2-4pm.
Voucher issued by local service professionals, such as Children’s Centres, the CAB and the local Council.
Phone 01884 255606 or email theoffice@chatmid.co.uk
Tiverton Baptist Church – Luncheon Club
Tiverton Baptist Church, Newport Street, Tiverton, EX16 6NH
1st Thursday of each month from 12.30pm.
Meet people and enjoy a good, well-cooked meal, for which there is a small charge, followed by a 20-minute talk from a speaker. Whether you are a regular visitor or would like to come for the first time, please call Susan or Pam by the Monday before the date you wish to come, to book your place. Cost: £4
Phone Susan on 01884 256017 or Pam on 01884 257883
Crediton Foodbank
Congregational Church, 98 High St, Crediton, EX17 3LB
Tuesday – 10:00 – 12:00
Friday – 18:30 – 19:30Clients of the foodbank need to bring a voucher from a referral agency which verifies their need. Organisations able to do this are: Citizens Advice Bureau, the work club at the library, health professionals, children’s centre, Age Concern, CHAT, Local Welfare Assistance and Schools.
Please call for more information or help 01363 772577
Cullompton Foodbank
St Andrew’s Community Centre, Pye Corner, Cullompton, EX15 1JX
Friday: 9.30am – 11.30am
Vouchers are issued by local service professionals.
St Andrew’s Church, Cullompton
St Andrew’s Church, Pye Corner, Cullompton, EX15 1JX
Summer Sessions. £1 per session, lunch included.
29th – 30th July, 10am – 1pm
12th – 13th August, 10am-1pm -
Southern Devon
Sid Valley Foodbank
Unitarian Chapel, Old Meeting, All Saints Road, Sidmouth, EX10 8EN
Fridays: 1-3pm
Referral is required from various public service bodies. If unsure please contact the foodbank.
Phone: 07413 858335 or email info@sidvalleyfoodbank.org.uk
Buckfastleigh Foodbank
St Luke’s Church, Plymouth Road, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0DA
Friday: 9:30-11:30am
Phone: 01364 644875
Kingsbridge Foodbank
Horizons, Fore St, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1AL
Friday: 10-12pm.
Referral is required from various public service bodies. If unsure please contact the foodbank – info@kingsbridgefoodbank.org.uk
Totnes Foodbank
2a Burke Road, Totnes
Tuesday: 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-15:00.
Wednesday: 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-15:00.
Thursday: 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-15:00.Just drop in for emergency food parcel – simple referral needed for ongoing support.
Phone: 01803 840354
Children’s centres
Any families with a child aged 0-8 years can go to their local children’s centre for support, including referral into the local foodbank and Citizens’ Advice.
Find your local children’s centre.
If you would like details of your food provision added to this page please contact publichealth-mailbox@devon.gov.uk