Funding for Food Support Schemes

NOW CLOSED Grant Round 2 application window: Infrastructure or start up costs

All applications to be submitted by end of day - 28 September 2025

Hampshire County Council had inviting funding applications from organisations:

  • Wishing to open community pantries in areas in need, or to support an existing community pantry that helps provide households with affordable food.
  • Are a food bank that supports households in crisis.
  • Local food partnerships wishing to build sustainable approaches to food support.

A total fund of £1,057,482 has been made available from the County Council’s share of the Household Support Fund. There will be two planned windows for application:

NOW CLOSED: Round 1: Monday 14 July to Sunday 27 July 2025 - Purchase of additional food

The application will be via an online form for existing food banks and community pantries only for the purchase of additional food up to a maximum of £15,000

NOW CLOSED: Round 2: Monday 15 September to Sunday 28 September 2025 - Infrastructure or startup costs

The application will be via a word document for food support schemes: existing and new, infrastructure and startup cost. Application will also be considered for sustainable projects such as surplus food redistribution.

There are currently 31 community pantries operating across the Hampshire network, as well as mobile larders operating in some areas. Pantries all work on the same principle – for a small contribution each week, shoppers can select and take home food and household goods worth around £15. For a full list, visit the Community pantries page.

Every district in Hampshire has food banks operating in their area who provide households food and support at times of crisis. Food banks can offer support to help households move on from their time of crisis.

Some districts have Local Food Partnerships set up who are cross-sector bodies that own and drive forward agendas on their local food system. They are a forum for community and voluntary organisations, councils, other public bodies and businesses to work together to achieve their local agenda.

The County Council welcomes applications from all existing community pantries, food banks, and local food partnerships, along with any organisation considering setting up a new food support provision in their community that will help provide vulnerable families with food or with access to food.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]