Food parcels, food shopping and meals

If you have previously registered as clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) with the National Shielding Support Service (NSSS) and their priority online supermarket delivery service, you can still access this service until 21 June 2021.

Government guidelines have been updated to reflect new covid-secure measures that have been introduced in our communities, including the rule of 6, Covid-secure workplaces, and the widespread use of face coverings, all of which has led to the removal of need for restrictive shielding guidance.

If you are able to shop by yourself, whilst adhering to the government guidelines, please do so safely. There is a useful safe shopping guide to help you stay safe and protect others when shopping for essentials. Visit the CIEH website for more details on the safe shopping guide.

Many supermarkets are also working hard to support their vulnerable customers, they also have measures in place within their stores around social distancing with some limiting the number of customers inside their stores at any one time.

In recognition of the challenging times that families may be experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic free weekly breakfast parcels are being made available for children in years 3 - 11 who are in receipt of Free School Meals.

Parcels are free and contain breakfast items to last 5 days. You will be required to collect your parcel.

If your child is eligible and you would like to find out more and register, you can find your local provider on our Weekly breakfast parcels for children and young people in receipt of free school meals page.

These parcels are available until the end of May half-term 2021. The Council is working with our providers to extend this provision to May half-term 2021. 

We are able to provide support to access food to people who have to self-isolate and have no family, friends or neighbours who can help them.

DEFRA supermarket referral

• For individuals unable to access food as they are self-isolating at home because they or another member of their household has tested positive, or is showing symptoms of COVID-19 or had exposure through close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. We may be able to refer you for a priority shopping delivery slot at Iceland or Tesco. This programme is for those who have not been able to access food and other essential supplies themselves, due to circumstances related to self-isolation because of COVID-19.
• If you qualify for this priority service, our staff will, with your agreement, enter your details into the Defra programme portal.
• Depending on which option you choose, you will either be provided with a code or receive an email from the supermarket with a reference number and instructions.
• Once we have registered you with the programme, you will be able to order and pay for your groceries online yourself.

Please note: this programme has limited capacity and registration.

Please download the privacy notice for the supermarket referral scheme.