Food Providers in Bedford Borough
Click on the names of the organisations below for more detail on the services they provide, referral process and contact details. If you would like your organisation to feature on this list or your details need amending please email info@cvsbeds.org.uk.
Some providers will only accept a referral from another agency. Please read the details on those organisations' website to find a suitable referral agency.
The Food Providers also meet on a regular basis to share information and co-ordinate activity. If you wish to attend these meetings please email info@cvsbeds.org.uk
Summary of services for each day of the week
- These are services that primarily offer hot food (but may have eligibility criteria)
- For other services, including social supermarkets, community larders and foodbanks, please see further down this page.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | SMART CJS | SMART CJS | SMART CJS | ||||
|
Lunch/Afternoon |
|
Church of the Transfiguration Kempston | Dine with Us On The Streets | Salvation Army | |||
|
Evening |
4Seasons Outreach | St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) | Kings Arms Church | SOS Saturday Outreach Service | Bedford Langar Project | ||
|
Bank Holidays
|
The Pavement Project |
Directory of Food Providers in the Bedford Borough Area
Updated 1st September 2025.
- Bedford Foodbank
- Bedford Langar Project
- Bedford Pentecostal Church
- Church of the Transfiguration Kempston
- Dine with Us On The Streets
- Ethnic Food Bank
- FACES Bedford
- Food etc.
- IMPAKT
- Jubilation Action Group
- Kings Arms Church
- Lynn Otti's Free Food Shop (LOFFS)
- Salvation Army
- SMART CJS
- SOS Saturday Outreach Service
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)
- Surplus Supplies
- The Pavement Project
- Testimony Outreach
- 4Seasons Outreach
Bedford Foodbank provides emergency food parcels with 4/5 days of food to household experiencing a crisis. We also have a CAB adviser at all our Distribution centres to give advice on debt, budgeting, housing, benefits and any other problems people are facing that cause them to need the services of Bedford Foodbank
Do you target your work at any specific communities, or specific geographical areas?
Bedford Foodbank serves the Borough of Bedford
Any referral needed, or eligibility criteria?
Everyone using Bedford Foodbank needs to be refereed by one of our 250 referral agencies who will issue an E voucher to be redeemed at one of our 7 Distribution centers around the town.
T: 01234 268569
E: info@bedford.foodbank.org.uk
W: www.bedford.foodbank.org.uk
Free curry meal initiative for the Homeless and in need of Bedford and surrounding areas.
Do you target your work at any specific communities, or specific geographical areas?
6pm Church Square (aka Pigeon Square), Bedford
1st and last Sunday of every month.
Any referral needed, or eligibility criteria?
No
W: https://www.facebook.com/BedfordLangarProject
Outreach that goes out to Bedford Bus Station every Sunday morning from 7am to 8 am.
Provision of a hot drink of tea or coffee, a sandwich and packet of biscuits, there is also porridge and pot noodles available to be consumed on site.
Do you target your work at any specific communities, or specific geographical areas?
No it is open to anyone
Any referral needed, or eligibility criteria?
No just turn up
Contact details - Sue Horwood, Bedford Pentecostal Church, Roise St, Bedford
Church of the Transfiguration Kempston
Mickey's café is open Tuesday and Thursday, 12-2. Lunch, hot drinks and warm space until 4pm
No criteria or eligibility, free to all. Dogs welcome. Food pantry open.
Do you target your work at any specific communities, or specific geographical areas?
No, everyone is welcome. The service is based in Kempston, but open to all.
Any referral needed, or eligibility criteria?
No
W: https://www.transfiguration.org.uk/mickeyscafe
- Every other Saturday between 1pm and 3pm - please check Facebook page for which Saturday the service is operating.
- Tuesday lunchtimes - please check Facebook page for exact times and to confirm if service is running that day.
Provision of hot and cold drinks, fresh fruit and vegetables, tins of food, cakes and many other sweet treats, sandwiches, baguettes, sausage rolls and other savoury items to take away, crisps, a large variety of hot food and pudding, bread and other non-food items such as toiletries, duvets and clothes.
Location: Paradine Court, off Harpur Street (opposite Sue Ryder/Burger King, along the side of B&M). Make sure you are ON FOOT.
What Three Words location - https://w3w.co/blues.loaded.button
Do you target your work at any specific communities, or specific geographical areas?
No, everyone is welcome
Any referral needed, or eligibility criteria?
None
E: Dinewithusbedford@gmail.com
W: https://www.facebook.com/DineWithUsOnTheStreetsCherriesLegacy
Referral only, free of cost ethnic food parcels for the people of Bedford in financial crisis.
Open from 5.30pm - 7.30pm on Wednesdays.
Do you target your work at any specific communities, or specific geographical areas?
Bedford only. All the ethnic minority groups like Asian, African, Caribbean, Eastern European and Middle Eastern communities.
Any referral needed, or eligibility criteria?
Yes needs a referral from a recognized community organization/schools/GP surgeries and borough council.
T: 07417 509996
E: contact_us@ethnicfoodbank.org
We run holiday pop up fresh food shops for families in Bedford Borough. We aim to provide fresh food for up to 25 families each week in school holidays only.
Do you target your work at any specific communities, or specific geographical areas?
Bedford Borough
Any referral needed, or eligibility criteria?
Our referrals are open to working families who are not eligible for government school holiday vouchers. We only take referrals from professionals, not self-referrals for this service.
T: 01234 270601
We provide cookery workshops for disadvantaged people helping them to cook and eat better by learning how to cook tasty and nutritious meals using cheap ingredients.
Do you target your work at any specific communities, or specific geographical areas?
Bedford Borough and North Central Beds.
Any referral needed, or eligibility criteria?
Yes. Through our partner organisations.
T: 07970 115181
IMPAKT Food is a free to use, no questions asked, community larder open to anyone who finds themselves in food poverty/inequality.
When: Thursday & Friday, 10am - 1pm
Location: Hawes Court, Bedford, MK40 1AW
What Three Words location: toast.bike.dash
Do you target your work at any specific communities, or specific geographical areas?
Our larder is open to anyone who needs it.
Any referral needed, or eligibility criteria?
It is a no questions asked service and can be accessed as many times as required.
Community Food Pantry. We run a Community Pantry for residents in Kingsbrook and Cauldwell Wards. We have toiletries, baby essentials, dry foods, tinned food, bread, cereals and many more items. You just have to pay £5 a week and you can only come once a week.
We also supply pre-loved school uniforms.
Please check our Facebook page for specific opening times and more information.
Location: Scott Hall, 52 Barford Ave, Bedford MK42 0DS
Do you target your work at any specific communities, or specific geographical areas?
Kingsbrook and Cauldwell Wards
Any referral needed, or eligibility criteria?
None
T: 07742 016465
W: https://www.facebook.com/JubilationActionGroup
FNM (Friday Night Meal) FNM is a place known for good food and good news. All guests over 18 are welcome to come and have a sit-down hot meal and dessert. We aim to offer community to those homeless and vulnerably housed and an opportunity to find hope and encouragement.
Do you target your work at any specific communities, or specific geographical areas?
Every Friday at the Tavistock Community Centre, doors open at 7.30pm for a hot meal at 8pm. Term time only.
Any referral needed, or eligibility criteria?
No referral, over 18's only. Everyone welcome.
The following services are provided from The Salvation Army, Commercial Road, Bedford, MK40 1QS:
- Sandwich Lunch every Wednesday at 12pm.
- Hot food on the 2nd Sunday of the month at 4pm.
Do you target your work at any specific communities, or specific geographical areas?
No
Any referral needed, or eligibility criteria?
No
T: 01234 329200
E: bedford.congress.hall@salvationarmy.org.uk
W: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/bedford-congress-hall
Food provision (subject to eligibility criteria - see below) from the Prebend Support Hub at 12-14 Prebend Street, Bedford, MK40 1QW.
- The provision is open Monday - Friday, 9am – 4pm.
- Breakfast, hot drinks, lunch, and light snacks.
- Washing machine and tumble dryer facilities on site.
- Provision of clothing and toiletries.
- Shower facilities, male, female and disabled.
The provision is accessible (subject to a completed risk assessment) to:
- anyone that has been verified as a rough sleeper.
- anyone who is in SMART's supported accommodation.
- anyone who is in SMART's emergency night beds.
- anyone who is currently staying in Kings Arms Project night beds.
- anyone who has been through SMART's pathways (listed above), but still has identified support needs.
- anyone that is in temporary accommodation.
W: https://smartcjs.org.uk/smart-prebend-centre/
Provision on Saturday evenings (6pm - 8pm) of food and drinks, toiletries, household goods, clothes, fruit, veg and anything else we can source to help homeless and people in need.
Provision of soup and sandwiches is also offered around 5.40pm on a Wednesday evening.
Location: The end of De Parys Avenue (by the old taxi rank, near to The Broadway).
What Three Words location - https://what3words.com/status.hype.tennis
Do you target your work at any specific communities, or specific geographical areas?
No
Any referral needed, or eligibility criteria?
No
W: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092981584763
Social Supermarket which accepts any surplus goods, including food and either redistributes this surplus to other charities or sells the goods at the shop to raise funds or buy goods for local charities and to cover rent, electricity and any other outgoings.
Please check the Facebook page to find opening times and updates on availability of food.
Location: Paradine Court, off Harpur Street (opposite Sue Ryder/Burger King, along the side of B&M). Make sure you are ON FOOT.
What Three Words location - https://w3w.co/blues.loaded.button
Do you target your work at any specific communities, or specific geographical areas?
No, everyone is welcome
Any referral needed, or eligibility criteria?
None
E: Surplussuppliesbedford@gmail.com
W: https://www.facebook.com/people/Surplus-Supplies/61552439884314/
St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)
Providing sandwiches and soup every Thursday at the old taxi rank on De Parys Avenue, near The Broadway.
7.00 p.m. - 7.30 p.m.
Do we target our work at any specific communities or geographical areas?
No
Any referral needed or eligibility criteria?
No
- 2nd Sunday of the month - 11am, Pigeon Square - Provision of fresh homemade soup and a roll, hot drinks, and snacks.
- 3rd Sunday of the month - 11am, Pigeon Square - provision of breakfast (bacon sandwiches, vegetarian alternatives, etc) and hot drinks, as well as clothing, toiletries and snacks.
- Bank Holiday Mondays and Christmas Day - 11am, Pigeon Square - provision of breakfast (bacon sandwiches, vegetarian alternatives, etc) and hot drinks, as well as clothing, toiletries and snacks.
We also provide companionship at various times throughout the week, source items if required (such as bedding, DVD players for those in temporary accommodation, etc.), volunteer at other services including SOS, and provide emotional support and interaction to those who wish to share their life stories or hardships.
Do you target your work at any specific communities, or specific geographical areas?
Our work is specifically aimed at the homeless and those in temporary accommodation, but we do not turn anyone away if they need help and support.
Any referral needed, or eligibility criteria?
No
E: thepavementprojectbedford@gmail.com
W: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Pavement-Project-61553946310476
Food Bank
Do you target your work at any specific communities, or specific geographical areas?
Bedford
Any referral needed, or eligibility criteria?
No referral needed
E: testimonyoutreach22@gmail.com
Weekly provision of either sandwiches or hot meals, hot and cold drinks, and various other items. We also supply clothing sleeping bags and tents when necessary.
Do you target your work at any specific communities, or specific geographical areas?
We cover outreach Mondays, 3pm, Bedford outside Poundland/CEX for the homeless and people facing hardship. We also cover Biggleswade/Sandy area and local villages to ourselves.
Any referral needed, or eligibility criteria?
No referral needed. If you're hungry and need help we’re there for everyone.
W: https://www.facebook.com/groups/711921973052575
Lynn Otti's Free Food Shop (LOFFS)
"Lynn Otti's Free Food Shop (LOFFS) is a free food pop up shop that supplies free food for families and individuals in need once a month, every month. It is run on a referral based service. This means that agencies such as: schools, GPs, faith based groups, community services, health services etc. can refer families/individuals that they know are in financial need to receive free food and cleaning goods on a monthly basis.
Do you target your work at any specific communities or specific geographical areas?
We serve all of Bedfordshire and surrounding areas as long as families are able to collect the shopping items themselves. We offer set days for referrers to collect on the families behalf and delivery services but only for those in very dire / extenuating circumstances.
Any referral needed or eligibility criteria?
A referral form is to be completed every 3 months and a shopping list completed monthly to be able to receive food."
E: lynnottisfreefoodshop@gmail.com