Ben Taylor, Food Roots Coordinator at Croydon Voluntary Action, shares his thoughts on tackling food poverty in Croydon 

Last week, I visited St John’s Church in Upper Norwood, where an inspiring new food pantry has been set up to support local residents. Led by Suzette and the dedicated team in the church, the pantry is open every day, offering free food to anyone who needs it—no referrals, no restrictions, just immediate help for those facing food insecurity. 

As I walked through the space, tucked away discreetly in the corner of this amazing building I saw shelves stocked with fresh produce, essential groceries, and non-perishable items, all available for people to take as they needed, there was even a small fridge for the chilled items!  The atmosphere was welcoming and dignified, which is crucial in ensuring that those who seek help feel comfortable and respected. 

Upper Norwood is an area where food insecurity is a growing issue, and initiatives like this pantry are a lifeline for many families struggling to afford nutritious meals. What makes this project particularly promising is its vision for expansion. Suzette and the team are working to increase the size and variety of their food offering, forging partnerships with organisations like The Felix Project, which redistributes surplus food from supermarkets, wholesalers, and restaurants to charities and community groups. 

A Borough-Wide Effort to Tackle Food Poverty 

The work being done at St John’s reflects a broader challenge that many communities across Croydon face—rising food poverty driven by economic hardship, benefit cuts, and the cost-of-living crisis. As demand for food support grows, so too must the community-led solutions that address it. 

This visit reinforced the importance of the work I’ve been doing through the Food Roots initiative, which aims to tackle food poverty by supporting and expanding local food-growing projects. While food pantries and redistribution schemes play a vital role in meeting immediate needs, long-term food security also requires a focus on resilience and sustainability. This means creating more opportunities for communities to grow their own food, supporting local food cooperatives, and strengthening supply chains that keep food local, fresh, and accessible. 

One of the key goals of Food Roots is to help connect food-growing initiatives with food pantries and community kitchens, so that projects like the one at St John’s can offer not just surplus food, but also fresh, locally grown produce. Many food aid organisations struggle to provide fruit, vegetables, and other nutritious options, relying instead on tinned and packaged goods. By linking food aid to urban food-growing projects, we can close this gap and create a healthier, more self-sufficient food system in Croydon. 

The Need for Greater Support 

While grassroots initiatives like the St John’s pantry demonstrate incredible community spirit and resilience, they cannot solve the problem of food poverty alone. Sustainable funding, strategic partnerships, and local government support are essential to ensure these efforts continue and expand. 

Croydon has a strong network of food-growing projects, community kitchens, and food banks, but they often operate in isolation from one another. By bringing these groups together, sharing best practices, and securing funding for collaborative projects, we can build a coordinated response to food insecurity that is both effective and sustainable. 

Get Involved 

The work at St John’s is a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together to support its own. But to truly tackle food poverty in Croydon, we need more people, businesses, and organisations to get involved. 

If you are part of a community group, food project, or local business that wants to help—whether by donating food, volunteering time, or sharing resources—please reach out. And if you are someone who needs support, please know that there are people and projects ready to help. 

Together, we can build a stronger, more food-secure Croydon—one where no one has to go hungry.