Food aid fund launched to support struggling families

Community organisations in Newtown, Welshpool, and across Powys are being encouraged to apply for a new funding scheme to improve access to food and support residents struggling with the cost of living.

Powys County Council has launched its Food Aid Small Grant Fund, offering grants of up to £9,000 to not-for-profit organisations delivering food-related support to local communities.

The funding is available to a wide range of organisations, including food banks, community meal projects, social supermarkets, charities, community groups and town and community councils. The council says it is particularly keen to support initiatives that help vulnerable residents while also creating longer-term solutions to food insecurity.

The scheme comes as many households continue to face financial pressures despite inflation easing from the highs seen during the cost of living crisis. Community food projects have become an increasingly important source of support across north Powys, with food banks and community organisations in Newtown and Welshpool reporting continued demand for assistance.

Under the scheme, organisations can apply for up to £4,000 towards revenue costs and up to £5,000 for capital projects. Funding could be used to purchase equipment, improve storage and distribution facilities, expand existing services or develop new initiatives focused on food growing, food sharing and community resilience.

Powys County Council said projects must demonstrate how they will benefit residents, reduce inequalities and deliver a sustainable impact beyond immediate food provision.

Councillor Matthew Dorrance, Powys County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys, said: “We know that many individuals and families across Powys continue to feel the effects of the rising cost of living, and community organisations play a vital role in providing essential support.

“This funding is about strengthening that support, helping groups not only meet immediate need but also develop sustainable solutions that improve access to healthy food and tackle the underlying causes of poverty.

“We would strongly encourage organisations with innovative ideas or existing projects that could be expanded to come forward and apply for this funding.”

The council said it is particularly interested in hearing from organisations that can reach vulnerable or hard-to-access communities and those developing community-led approaches to tackling food poverty.

Applications will be assessed in a series of funding rounds throughout the year. The first deadline is 26 June, with successful projects required to spend the funding by 28 February 2027.

The announcement follows a growing focus on food resilience across Powys, including recent initiatives supporting local food production and community food networks. Earlier this month, a pilot scheme involving Newtown helped distribute more than 900 subsidised vegetable boxes to families, highlighting ongoing efforts to improve access to affordable and nutritious food in the county.

Further information and application forms are available from the council’s website.