Fresh Food Grants

Fresh Food Grants

At Black Country Foodbank, we know that food insecurity doesn’t just mean not having enough to eat - it also means people are often forced to live on poor-quality food that can harm their health and wellbeing. That’s why, in 2025, we launched our Fresh Food Micro Grants programme.

So far we have provided over 30 grants to foodbanks, schools, churches and community groups across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. Each grant has enabled local projects to buy fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, and other nutritious food, with some of the projects using the grants for cookery workshops or food-growing initiatives, while others provided direct food parcels or cooked meals.

 

The Impact

These grants have been able to:

• Support hundreds of families, children, and individuals struggling with the cost of living
• Provide fresh, healthy food to people who might otherwise have gone without
• Provide meal packs, hampers, and cooking sessions that not only fed people but also gave them the skills and confidence to cook healthier meals at home
• Support growing projects, giving communities the chance to learn new skills and become more resilient

 

Why It Matters

Access to fresh food is vital for health, dignity and wellbeing. This programme was designed to help reduce isolation, boost confidence, and remind people that their needs matter.

 

One foodbank user told us:

“For some children that come here, it’s the only fresh food they have access to.”

 

Another said:

“I cannot thank you enough. I can now have something to eat. You have really helped me, and I was in bits but I will feel better now.”

What's Next

We’ve learned that fresh food projects are simple, effective, and deeply valued. We want to continue offering micro grants wherever possible and explore more partnerships around community food gardens, cookery workshops, and fresh food distribution.

To learn more about this project, please read our fresh food grants report by clicking here.