Community meals

FoodCycle Cambridge run a free sit-down community lunch every Saturday at 12.30pm at St Andrew’s Street Baptist Church. All are welcome. The hot, nutritious meals are made using surplus food from local shops and supermarkets – so by coming along you are helping tackle food waste. The meals are prepared and served by friendly volunteers in a welcoming environment. There is no need to book – just go along! Visit their website for more information.

Cambridge Community Kitchen provide free, hot, plant-based meals to anyone who needs them, cooked and distributed by volunteers. The meals are available for collection or delivery (within CB1 to CB5 districts) every Thursday and Sunday evening. Collection is from 6 – 6.30pm, delivery is from 6.30 – 8pm. Sign up for the meals using their online form here.

St Paul’s provide hot, sit-down meals for the local community, prepared and served by volunteers. On Monday evenings and Thursday lunchtimes they serve meals which are open to all ages. On Friday they run a lunch club aimed at those aged 60+. St Paul’s suggest a small donation for some of these meals. Visit their website for more information.

The C3 Church provide a free hot meal to all on Fridays 12 – 2pm. There is no need to pre-register, just go along.

Akeman Street Community Centre run a free Breakfast Club every Thursday morning from 8.45 – 10.45am. A chance to meet, eat and connect.

Cambridge United Foundation run a Seniors’ Lunch on the first Thursday of every month from 12pm-1.30pm at the Abbey Stadium. Elderly residents can enjoy a enjoy a two-course meal, as well as afternoon of entertainment (including bingo!) for a small fee. Email [email protected] for more information.

The Karim Foundation run a soup kitchen in North Cambridge. It is a friendly space for anyone in need of a hot meal, good company, reassurance and support. Freshly-cooked soup and bread are served free of charge. Everyone is welcome and there is no need to book. The soup is provided by Al:Amin grocery store on Mill Road. For upcoming dates visit their Facebook page.

St Philips Church on Mill Road host a Cambridge Sustainable Food ‘Pay As You Feel Cafe’ every Wednesday from 12.30 – 2pm. A hot, homemade lunch made from surplus food. No need to book, just go along.

Other food help in Cambridge

There are several projects in Cambridge where you can collect food for free. Some of these require you to have been referred from a local agency, but others are open to anyone who is struggling to make ends meet. Visit the Food Banks and Food Hubs page for more information.