The Lewes District Emergency Food Network is launching a Winter Fundraiser
The Lewes District Emergency Food Network is a collection of projects; food banks, community supermarkets and food waste hubs helping people to access food in Newhaven, Lewes, Peacehaven, Seaford and rural areas.
Working on the frontlines of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, we work with Lewes District Council, East Sussex County Council, and many other community organisations to coordinate and improve the support available to local people.
This goes even beyond food provision: we provide community cafés and safe spaces, and signposting and advice services to those struggling with multiple, overlapping issues such as isolation, financial insecurity and mental health challenges.
Since 2021, emergency food network projects have experienced ever greater numbers of local people coming through their doors. The increase in demand, soaring food prices and a decrease in donations have left many projects struggling to make ends meet. Some projects, which are largely run by volunteers, are having to find almost £1,000 each week to serve their members.
We are launching a Winter Fundraiser to raise donations that will support people in our communities to put food on the table in these particularly difficult months.
More about the Emergency Food Network projects
Malling food bank
The Malling Foodbank is a volunteer-led non-profit serving the Lewes community through the provision of weekly food bags, emergency food support and surplus food distribution. Based at King’s Church Lewes, we offer food collection every Monday, supplying ambient and fresh food tailored to individual, couple, family, or homeless needs.
Our mission extends beyond food provision. We aim to address the root causes of food insecurity by signposting clients to support services including Citizens Advice, Ovesco, and other local partners. Clients can access digital services, help with form filling, and attend a free weekly café that combats social isolation through shared meals and conversation.
Funding will enable our foodbank to strengthen its capacity to meet the growing demand for emergency food support in our community. Over the past year, we have seen a significant increase in individuals and families seeking assistance due to rising living costs, unemployment and housing pressures. With this funding, we will be able to purchase essential food supplies, improve our storage and distribution facilities, and support the volunteers who make our service possible.
For our clients, the funding will mean reliable, dignified access to essential food and support services that help reduce food insecurity and improve overall wellbeing.
Fitzjohns Community Food
Fitzjohns Community Food aims to alleviate food poverty through long-term and emergency food support. We think of what we do as a ‘hand up’ not a ‘hand out’, and we put dignity and choice at the centre of what we do. We also believe that supporting people before they are in crisis is the best way to prevent them from falling deeper in to hardship.
We have 104 active member households (which includes 272 adults and 141 children) but on a weekly basis support on average 150 people with groceries, freshly cooked meals, laundry and hygiene items and other essentials.
Our Community Cafe supports community cohesion and reduces loneliness, whilst offering volunteering opportunities to build skills and confidence.
We need support this winter because our membership has grown 127% since Covid and because consistency is key to reaching the people that need it the most.
We know people tend to struggle quietly for some time before reaching out for help; we’d like to make sure we’re here when they finally do.
Landport food bank
Landport Foodbank has been running for many years from Landport Estate. We are all volunteers and look after people from Landport, Lewes town and many of the villages in the Lewes District.
We ask that people wanting to use us get a referral from professionals, but will help people for up to 2 weeks in an emergency.
Although only open on a Monday, we often deliver emergency food parcels to people if asked by Lewes Citizens Advice or Social Services outside of our opening times.
We are proud to have helped several young people to complete their Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh awards as part of their community section.
We are currently helping around 260 adults and children every week, and have seen a drop in donations as the cost of living continues to rise for people.
Fundraisers such as this are vital to help us continue to operate in our community.
Seahaven Storehouse
Seahaven Storehouse in Seaford is part of Seahaven Community Church which provides much needed food to those living in food poverty within the Seahaven area (Seaford, Peacehaven and Newhaven). We currently support 105 households, comprising of 300 individuals of which 99 are children.
Without your generous support these deserving people will go hungry this winter.
Havens Food Cooperative
Havens Food Cooperative is a community initiative dedicated to fighting food waste and feeding the community.
The project operates under the umbrella of Havens Community Hub CIC, and has been running since 2020. With a team of over 50 volunteers, surplus food is collected from over 20 local stores and then redistributed via our daily community pantry and through our pop-up pantry scheme, ensuring that no food goes to waste. The food and items we receive and redistribute often include short shelf-life products, mis-labelled goods, ‘wonky’ produce, or overstocked supplies.
The food we rescue supports people facing food insecurity, as well as those who choose to help the planet by preventing good food from ending up in landfill.
Seahaven Community Food – Newhaven and Peacehaven Community Supermarket
Seahaven Community Food supports people in Newhaven and Peacehaven who are struggling to afford food, ensuring everyone in our community has access to affordable, healthy, nutritious options.
With no referral needed, anyone can simply pop in for a warm welcome, a chat, a cup of tea and the option to sign up as a member of our Community Supermarket. Members receive 6 weeks of free food support, access to advice and services, and delicious homemade food in our community café. After that, a £3 contribution per visit helps keep our doors open and covers a weekly shop, including fresh fruit and vegetables, store cupboard essentials, hygiene products, and a visit to our Community Café.
Your support helps us continue serving local families with dignity, choice, and kindness.
Newhaven Baptist Church
Newhaven Baptist Church food bank is committed to serving the community in Newhaven and surrounding area. We provide food support for households who ask for our help. We run a self-referral system and often pick up clients that are not able to get a referral because they are not in the social security system.
We run twice-weekly sessions where people can collect a food bag, and have tea/coffee and toast. Through the winter months we offer a light lunch of soup and bread. We have shower and laundry facilities which our clients can use free of charge. We serve around 125 households each week.
We need support to be able to continue to keep these important services running and to support the most needy people in our town and local area.
A launch event for the EFN winter fundraiser is taking place on Thursday, 27 November 2025 between 3:30–5:30pm at the Depot cinema in Lewes.
Numbers are limited and registration is required. Find out more here.
Email: info@lewesdistrictfoodpartnership.org if you would like to attend.
Access our Winter Fundraiser donation page here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-local-emergency-food-projects-this-winter
