Highland Foodbank

How to get help

If you need support from Highland Foodbank, there are three simple steps:

1. Get a foodbank referral
We work with local agencies such as Citizens Advice, housing support officers, health professionals and social services. If they feel you are struggling to afford food, they can issue you with a foodbank referral.

If you’re unsure who to contact, please email us at
[email protected]
and we’ll guide you.

2. Receive your voucher
Your referral may be sent electronically or given to you as a paper voucher.

3. Visit your nearest foodbank centre

Bring your voucher (if paper) and we’ll provide a minimum of three days of emergency food. We’ll also talk with you about any dietary requirements and additional support available.

For further information see our FAQs here

Supporting those in need

At times, any of us can face unexpected challenges; redundancy, illness, delays in benefits, or rising living costs. When that happens, Highland Foodbank is here to provide short-term, emergency support.

As part of the Trussell community of food banks, we work to ensure that no one faces hunger alone while also addressing the wider issues that cause food insecurity.

We operate on a referral-only basis. Before receiving a food parcel, individuals speak with a trusted referral partner, such as Citizens Advice, health professionals or social services, who assess their situation. This approach means emergency food is provided alongside appropriate advice and practical support, helping people move towards greater stability and reducing the need for future crisis support.

Last year, we distributed around 5,000 emergency food parcels to individuals and families across the Highlands. This work is made possible entirely through the generosity of our community and the dedication of our volunteers. From sorting and packing donations, to welcoming people at our centres and delivering food across rural areas, our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do.

Our foodbank centres:

Inverness

Mon – Fri 12:00 – 14:00

1 Glebe Street, Inverness, IV1 1RF

Nairn

Tuesday & Friday 12:00 – 14:00

St. Mary’s Church Hall, 7 Academy Street, Nairn, IV12 4RJ

Alness

Tuesday & Friday 11:00 – 13:00

Capstone Centre, 1-2 Obsdale Road, Alness, IV17 0TY

Tain

Tuesday & Thursday 12 – 14:30

CCAST, St. Duthus House, St. Duthus Street, Tain, IV19 1AL

Dingwall

Tuesday 10:00 – 12:00, Friday 13:00 – 15:00

Dingwall Free Church Hall, High Street, Dingwall, IV15 9HA

How you can make a difference:

Highland Foodbank is reliant on volunteers and support from our local community. Every parcel we give out is made possible by donations from people like you. We run supermarket food drives throughout the year and share a bi-monthly list of our most needed items, so you know exactly what to give. We also run seasonal appeals, including Lent/Spring, Harvest and Reverse Advent.

If you are an individual, school, workplace, faith group, community group or other organisation and would like to receive our appeal updates, please complete our short sign-up form here.

Donate food: You can donate food at Highland Foodbank, Inverness, Monday–Friday, 10:00–16:00, at New Start Highland Donations Point, Carsegate Road, Inverness Monday - Friday 9:00 - 17:00 or at our Dingwall store, Monday - Saturday 9:00 - 17:00.

Donate financially: Please click HERE to set up a financial contribution.