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Affected by food poverty?
There is help available in the Forest of Dean and surrounding areas.
The Forest food bank
If you need help from The Forest foodbank, you will need to contact one of the approved agencies.
Once your e-referral is live you can collect from Lydney, Coleford or Cinderford distribution centres in person.
Mitcheldean community larder
When: Every Friday, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: Mitcheldean Community Centre, The Playing Fields, Mitcheldean, GL17 0BQ
Cost/Details: £10 annual membership fee. For £5 a week, members can choose 12 items of food and household goods, plus additional free or seasonal items. Contact: maggie@mitcheldeanlarder.co.uk
The Salvation Army
E-referral Vouchers: To receive food parcels from the distribution center, you typically need an e-referral voucher from a partner agency (such as Citizens Advice, local churches, or family support services).
Address: The Salvation Army, 43 North Road, Broadwell, Coleford, GL16 7BX
Coleford Foodbank Distribution Hours: Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (operating in partnership with The Forest Foodbank)
Hub Opening Times: Monday to Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Phone Number: 01594 839106
The Lord's Larder
Clients do not need to obtain a voucher in advance of their visit to the food bank during our opening hours. They will be met by one of our experienced volunteers who will record the visit. An agency referral is required after 6 visits.
Our partner agencies issue authority to us by email or telephone and where appropriate to the client that we can distribute to those in need. Intervention is usually short term, normally three to four vouchers at most. In doing this, Professional agencies are given time to put more long-term solutions in place for the client.
The Sharing Kitchen
The Sharing Kitchen is a welcoming place for free food and friendship. Our vision is to improve the quality of life of local people and help ease isolation and hardship in the community.
Mondays 12.30-1.30pm.
Newent Community Centre, Ross Road, Newent, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England, GL18 1BD, United Kingdom
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Rescue good food
Volunteer to collect surplus food from local businesses, share it with people nearby – and keep some for yourself as a thank you or use the app to claim free food from local volunteers.
Gloucestershire family hubs
If you are in financial crisis and live in England or Wales, please call our free national helpline, Help through Hardship, on 0808 2082138 for free (open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, closed on public holidays) to talk confidentially with a trained Citizens Advice adviser. They can help address your crises and provide support to maximise your income, help you navigate the benefits system, and identify any additional grants you could be entitled to. If needed, they’ll issue you with a voucher so you can get an emergency food parcel from your local food bank.
Zero waste stall
Zero Waste Stall in Ross-on-Wye Community Garden provides food for people in need in the town, saving thousands of kilos of food from landfill. We distribute over 40 tonnes of fruit, vegetables and non perishable goods every year, to over 1000 visitors per month, supporting people through the cost-of-living crisis.
They are open six days a week, Monday to Saturday, from 10:30 to 11:30. They don’t ask for any personal details or have a referral process; anyone in need of food is welcome to come along, and all food is entirely free.
Humbugs projects
Humbugs offer regular community café with free food and drinks plus activities within the Forest of Dean.