A new fund has been launched in Stoke-on-Trent aimed at helping residents facing financial hardship access food and support.

The Food Support Fund will offer grants between £5,000 and £15,000 to organisations delivering projects that help prevent food poverty, improve access to healthy food and strengthen community resilience.

The scheme is funded through the Stoke-on-Trent City Council's Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF)

It is open to charities, voluntary and community organisations, social enterprises, schools, food banks and health partners operating within Stoke-on-Trent.

The city council said successful projects must support residents experiencing financial hardship and be delivered by March 2027.

Councillor Sarah Hill, Stoke-on-Trent City Council's Cabinet Member for Finance, Anti-Poverty, Governance and Corporate Services, said: "We know that many individuals and families across Stoke-on-Trent continue to feel the impact of rising living costs, and for some, putting food on the table remains a real challenge.

"This new Food Support Fund is about strengthening the fantastic network of community organisations already working hard to support local people.

"By investing in projects that provide immediate help while also building skills, resilience and access to healthy food, we can make a real difference to residents experiencing financial hardship.

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"We encourage eligible organisations to come forward with innovative proposals that will help communities thrive and ensure support reaches those who need it most."

The city council said applications will be assessed on a range of criteria, including evidence of need, measurable impact, value for money, organisational capacity and how projects contribute to both crisis support and longer-term prevention of food poverty.

To be eligible, projects must primarily benefit residents within the city

Funding can be used to support initiatives including:

• Food banks and food parcels
• Community pantries
• Community kitchens
• Hot meal services
• Cooking classes and food skills sessions
• Provision of cooking equipment alongside advice and support
• Other projects providing crisis or preventative food support

Applications must be submitted electronically by midnight on Monday 2 November 2026.

Organisations interested in applying can request an application form or obtain further information by emailing: [email protected].