Food in our communities

Worried about food? Don’t go hungry - we can help in a number of different ways.

The information below identifies a range of supports through the government, the Council and many community partners who are doing all they can to help ensure no one goes hungry.

If what you need isn’t here please give us a call on 01563 554400 and we’ll point you in the right direction.

School food and families

School kitchens will now return to providing school meals for our pupils, find out how we have adapted  our pre order  service and produced new menus to provide hot and cold meals in all of our Secondary and Primary Schools. Read more about school meals. If you have any queries about school meals please email us

Frequently asked questions

For more information about school meals please read our FAQs

Community food larders and foodbanks

Community larders

There are 11 Community Larders in East Ayrshire. We support these with the help of donations from Fareshare, local supermarkets and the public:

1. CVO Kilmarnock
2. Onthank NWKLEUS
3. Dalrymple White Horse Inn
4. Logan
5. Cumnock Juniors
6. New Cumnock Working Men’s Club
7. Drongan Community Centre
8. Newmilns Additional Support
9. Shortlees Primary School
10. Christian Fellowship – Auchinleck and surrounding areas
11. Netherthird Community Centre

Find your nearest community larder and opening times.

Throughout East Ayrshire we work in partnership with a wide range of local community organisations to promote a dignified food approach. You can read more about  what it means and how to access dignified food on our webpage.

During the coronavirus pandemic the Larders are a key contact to support the distribution of food in local communities and support those in need.

East Ayrshire foodbanks

From Monday 23 March, Ayrshire East Foodbank restricted its service and moved its main warehouse from Darvel to Kilmarnock.

Donations

Donations can be dropped at Open Doors, 13-15 Old Irvine Road, Kilmarnock, KA1 1DH. Open: Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm. Alternatively, a pick up can be arranged.

Someone will be there to take your donation but should the door be locked, the contact number will be posted on the door.

Please note for health and safety purposes all centres operate an appointment system.

If you would like to make a cash donation to the Foodbank please use these bank account details:

Bank: Royal Bank of Scotland
Account Name: CVO East Ayrshire Ltd
Sort Code: 834500
Account No: 00645364
Quote reference: AEFB2020

Foodbanks reopened

The following foodbank distribution centres have re-opened:

• Crosshouse Church Hall, 25 Kilmarnock Rd, Crosshouse, Kilmarnock, KA2 0EZ.
  Open: Tuesday and Friday 12-3pm - Contact Janice Smyth, Tel: 07787 970341
• Cumnock and Doon Valley Community Routes, Unit 5, 46 Townhead Street, Cumnock, KA18 1LD.
  Open: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10.30am to 12 noon.
• Cumnock Foodbank Distribution Centre has  moved  for the moment from St Johns Church to Cumnock and Doon Valley Community Routes, Unit 5, 46 Townhead Street, Cumnock, KA18 1LD.
  Open: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10.30am to 12 noon.
• Kilmarnock Foodbank Distribution Centre has also moved from St Matthews Church and Belford Mill to Open Doors, 11–15 Old Irvine Road, Kilmarnock, KA1 2BD.
• Open Doors, 13-15 Old Irvine Road, Kilmarnock, KA1 1DH.
  Open: Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm
• Our Wee Place in Shortlees, 15 Shortlees Crescent Kilmarnock, KA1 4PR.
  Open: Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 12 noon.
• St Columbas Church, Lainshaw Street, Stewarton, KA3 5BU. Tuesday and Friday 4pm to 6pm
• The Zone Initiative in Dalmellington continues to support the Doon Valley area.

The foodbank is hopeful that Darvel will re-open for food collections in a few weeks.

Delivery and pick-up service

East Ayrshire foodbank is moving towards a pick-up service where possible, except where circumstances means that a foodbank parcel delivery is needed.

Deliveries will continue in areas outwith the reach of the distribution centres. Staff are  working with partners in their more rural areas to increase local access and provision.

We are delivering to:

Extra deliveries will happen as and when required depending on when drivers are available. Saturday and Sunday deliveries may be introduced as demand increases.

When you contact us for a delivery you will be given a date and time slot (am or pm).

Accessing foodbank services

We are no longer using the red voucher system since many of our partners have reduced or closed their services and we anticipate a rise in the number of people who self-refer and who have not engaged with our services before.

We will continue to accept vouchers held by referral agents but have not issued any new vouchers since Monday 23 March. Referral agents should continue to refer people who engage with their services however we will move to a 'Direct Contact' system where requests for a foodbank parcel should be made using the following methods.

Collection of foodbank parcels

Collection of foodbank parcels now operates on an appointment system. Clients who have been referred in or who have self-referred will be given a date and time to attend.

It is important for the safety of our staff, volunteers and clients that people arrive at the allotted time and wear a face covering. Anyone arriving late may not be able to access the service.

For this reason we also ask that referrers do not send anyone to a Foodbank Centre without first contacting us for an appointment. We will always try to accommodate people in an emergency and we try to keep time at the end of the day to accommodate this. The safety of everyone concerned is paramount and we do not want to end up in a situation where we have excessive numbers of people queuing up to be seen.

Your co-operation is much appreciated.

Register

 When you register you will be:

• given a registration number
• asked to provide proof of your name and address
• asked to provide proof of parent/carer responsibilities on the first delivery if asking for food for children

As with many other services this is a new approach to delivery and we will review and amend this as the situation changes. We will also monitor demand on a weekly basis and increase our opening hours in the areas where demand is highest.

Please note times and dates may change depending upon demand and driver availability.

Contact the foodbank

If you need help from the foodbank, please contact:

• Email:  eastayrshirefoodbank@cvoea.co.uk
• Telephone: 01563 550951
• Facebook Private Message:  Ayrshire East Foodbank

Vibrant communities and resilience groups

Vibrant Communities have set up and are working with  Community Resilience Groups in East Ayrshire. These groups are supporting residents who need food, someone to go shopping, collect a prescription or just for general contact and support.

A community support fund has been created in response to COVID-19 and, to date, in excess of £250,000 has been issued to community groups within East Ayrshire to help get food and supplies to those individuals most in need.

Vibrant Communities/volunteers are available to support those self-isolating to gain access to support and food.

Local businesses delivering food

Many businesses from local companies to major supermarkets are continuing to support food deliveries, including prioritising vulnerable individuals and families.

Cooking at home

With everyone spending more time at home and with restaurants and many takeaways closed, you may be cooking at home more and want to learn some new recipes or just learn a bit more about the basics.

We have a variety of recipes and menu ideas and well as some helpful tips and booklets to download.

Menu ideas and recipes

Our Service Manager for Food and Catering has created video recipes for everyone to make at home and enjoy. See the video below and view more recipes on our YouTube channel.

Basic cooking information booklet

Download our Food Technology Information Booklet (PDF 4.34Mb) which includes advice on:

• food hygiene
• safety in the kitchen
• washing up
• kitchen equipment
• weighing and measuring
• cooking food
• eating a balanced diet

Useful links

• Registration for free school meals and clothing grants
• Trussell Trust – UK Foodbanks
• Financial help
• British Dietitians Association - Let's Get Cooking