What is Cash First?

IFAN advocates for UK, national, and local governments to prioritise a 'cash first' or income-focused approach to food insecurity. Charitable food aid provision can only ever provide a stop gap measure and cannot address the root causes of food insecurity and poverty. A cash first approach to food insecurity prioritises raising people's incomes over food bank referrals and incorporates the need for advice and support to maximise income. Find out more about how IFAN's calls for a cash first approach to food insecurity through our Why Cash First? page.

Where is my nearest food bank?

If you aren't able to find local crisis support or help to maximise your income through the 'Worrying About Money?' resources, you could use our members map to find local IFAN member organisations including hundreds of independent food banks. You can also request local information on potential support by writing to foodsupport@foodaidnetwork.org.uk. You can also find routes to Trussell food banks, Salvation Army venues, and Your Local Pantry Network members. Please note local authorities usually list local charitable food aid providers on their websites.

How many food banks are there in the UK?

IFAN has identified hundreds of independent food banks operating across the UK including those run by multiple faith groups. These are in addition to over 1,400 Trussell food banks as well as thousands of food banks run by schools, universities, hospitals and the Salvation Army. There are also thousands more charitable food aid providers running across the country including food pantries, social supermarkets, and soup kitchens.

Are independent food banks closed on bank holidays?

Food banks are often run by volunteers and do not operate in the same way as shops or essential government services. Depending on the organisation, food banks are usually open at specific times on specific days during the week. Food banks often run extra sessions to compensate for bank holiday breaks and can operate out-of-hours lines to support people in need.

​Each of IFAN's member organisations are independently run. You can find out information specific to each organisation through our members' map.

Food banks run the best service they can within their capacity, and have been struggling of late to keep up with rising demand. Food banks often rely on financial, food, and toiletry donations in order to continue to operate. These services should not be needed - everyone should have enough money to afford food for themselves.

​Do you need a referral to access an independent food bank?

IFAN member organisations operate independently and have their own policies as to how they are accessed. Some independent food banks, like Trussell Trust food banks, only accept referrals from outside agencies in order to be able to provide food support while others accept both referrals and self-referrals. You can find out information specific to each organisation through our members' map.

Do food banks provide infant formula?

IFAN member organisations operate independently and have their own policies as to the provision of infant formula. Some member organisations try to follow UNICEF guidance on the provision of infant formula. Many IFAN members will distribute vouchers to people needing infant formula so they can choose and buy this for themselves. IFAN members also sometimes buy infant formula on behalf of people needing food for their babies. IFAN advocates for a cash first response to food insecurity to ensure everyone has the income to choose and afford food for themselves and their babies.

How can I volunteer?

If you'd like to volunteer with an IFAN member organisation you can make contact directly through our members' map or you can write to admin@foodaidnetwork.org.uk. We'd ask all volunteers to write to their local MP urging action to reduce the need for charitable food aid.

How has IFAN been funded?

From 2016-2020, IFAN's was coordinated on a voluntary basis with the exception of research undertaken by Sabine Goodwin with Scotland's A Menu for Change project in 2018 to collate data from Scottish independent food banks.

During 2020 IFAN was funded by donations from the general public, Depop, Church Action on Poverty and Lajna Ima'illah UK as well as through grants from The Roddick Foundation and The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation specifically in relation to independent food bank food parcel data collation.

Towards the end of 2020, IFAN was awarded a grant by The National Community Lottery Fund to support the co-development of cash first referral leaflets in England. The British Medical Journal (BMJ) ran their Annual Appeal on behalf of IFAN during December 2020/January 2021. The funding raised was used for IFAN's cash first referral leaflet work and distributed to member organisations.

IFAN was awarded grants by the Aurum Charitable Trust in January 2021 and by the Albert Hunt Trust specifically for member organisations in March 2021. In April 2021, IFAN was funded by the Scottish Government to support the co-development and dissemination of 'Worrying About Money?' cash first referral leaflets across Scotland. And throughout 2021, IFAN's work was also supported by funding from The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.

In 2022, IFAN's work was funded through donations from the general public, the Aurum Charitable Trust, StepChange, the Scottish Government, The Cara Delevingne Foundation and the Dyers Company.

In 2023, IFAN was funded through donations from the general public, the Aurum Charitable Trust, the Scottish Government, LondonPlus, and the William Kessler Family Charitable Fund.

In 2024, IFAN was funded through donations from the general public, the Scottish Government, and the William Kessler Family Charitable Fund.

You can find out more about IFAN's financial records through our annual reports to the Charity Commission.

What are IFAN's funding criteria (for donations exceeding £500?

1. Does the overall mission/missions of the company/companies involve increase inequality?
2. Does the company/companies offering funding pay staff and sub-contracted staff the real Living Wage?
3. Does/do the company/companies involved have investments in tobacco, arms, oil, pharmaceuticals or alcohol?
4. Consideration will be made as to what extent and how a company/companies might use their engagement with IFAN as a way to improve their reputation as a company.

If you have any questions about funding please contact IFAN's director Sabine Goodwin at sabine@foodaidnetwork.org.uk.