Nourishing Communities vouchers launch

On Thursday, 11 September, we proudly launched our Nourishing Communities Voucher Scheme, a key initiative of FoodSavers Network in Bradford.

This scheme is designed to assist families experiencing food poverty by providing vouchers that can be redeemed for fresh, nutritious food at Darley Street Market and other participating outlets.

More than a short-term response, the scheme adopts a cash-first approach, helping people access fresh and nutritious food with dignity, encouraging healthy eating habits, supporting the growth of the local economy, and connecting communities with wider wellbeing services.

Food insecurity in Bradford: What we found

Food Insecurity remains a major challenge in Bradford. From research we conducted with 174 respondents across some of the city’s most deprived areas, some findings reveal the scale and impact of the issue:

Extreme food insecurity is widespread

78% of people went an entire day without eating.

67% were hungry but did not eat.

65% of households reported running out of food.

Barriers to access too high

55% of households were unable to eat healthy and nutritious food.

Emotional and social impacts are severe

51% of people worried about not having enough food.

47% felt upset by negative media portrayals of food support users.

These findings depict that food insecurity is not just about hunger, but it reflects systemic barriers that undermine human dignity and wellbeing. Addressing it requires community-led approaches alongside transformative policy reform.

One solution: healthy food vouchers

The voucher scheme is one practical response to the challenges of food insecurity. FoodSavers first piloted the voucher scheme two years ago with traders from Oastler Market, who have now moved into the new Darley Street Market. The scheme has already shown positive impact across the community.

From traders:

The voucher scheme attracts new customers.

It definitely encourages people to buy healthy food.

From families:

It’s given us the confidence to make a healthier meal, the education, so when we do go shopping, we’re not tempted by the cheaper processed option.

From the Inn Churches team:

Many families have told us that they were inspired to try new ingredients they had never tried before.

These voices show how the scheme goes beyond immediate support, it helps to build healthier habits, grow local markets, and restore dignity through choice.

From pilot to city-wide programme

This new phase of our voucher scheme is part-funded by Bradford Council and the NHS’s Living Well programme, and builds on a two-year pilot run by FoodSavers with market traders.

The aim is to expand the impact across the city with partners to reach families most affected by food insecurity. Priority will be given to asylum seekers, and individuals with mental health issues, living in Bradford’s most deprived areas.

Vouchers will be available by referral from families and provided for a limited period of time, depending on individual circumstances. Families will be able to spend them directly with market traders on fresh fruit and vegetables. Alongside this, they will also be supported through targeted advice and wellbeing services to make lasting changes.