Residents - Food
Food is more than just sustenance: it’s the glue of our social interactions, can connect us to others or transport us back to childhood.
With many of our residents struggling to access the healthy, culturally diverse food they need for happy, healthy lives, we’re committed to improving access to good food for everyone in the borough.
Struggling with the rising cost of food?
Click here for information about local food banks, community food clubs and local money and debt support:
We are committed to improving access to quality food for all Barking & Dagenham residents.
This means working with our food banks to provide dignified food aid to the people who most need it.
Our Grow Cook Eat programme is helping more people in Barking and Dagenham to grow their own food, cook and eat together, boost cooking confidence and share new recipes and tips on preparing low-energy, low-cost, nourishing and tasty meals
Come Cook With Us!
Community cooking sessions share and celebrate the diverse skills and food heritages within our community. We support community organisations to start cooking clubs where residents prepare and share low-energy, low-cost, nourishing and tasty meals together. Some participants become volunteers and even start their own food projects with the skills they’ve learned.
Our Cookbook
In 2023, some of the cooking clubs made a cookbook, which is available in local libraries. You can also access a digital version and some cookalong videos.
Click here to check them out:
You can also find more recipes on our Resources page.
Good Food Growers
We also work with local organisations to help people access the training, resources and land to grow food in their communities. Growing vegetables and fruits is a great way for residents to access their own seasonal produce on a windowsill, balcony or garden.
Local Organisations
There are lots of community organisations in the borough offering support and volunteering opportunities, which are a great way to get started:
Dagenham Farm
Address
Central Park Nursery, Dagenham, RM10 7EJ
Time
Weekly volunteering on Tuesdays
Contact Details
Visit the webpage or contact Alice: Alice.holden@growing.com
Company Drinks Grow Club
Address
Barking Outdoor Bowls Club, Barking Park, IG11 8TA
Time
Weekly on Fridays
Contact Details
Shaun: shaun@companydrinks.info
Eastbrookend Country Park
Address
Discovery Centre, The Chase, Romford RM7 0SS
Time
Mondays 10-2.30 (ongoing)
Contact Details
Visit the Park Rangers volunteering website to apply to be a conservation volunteer
Barking Food Forest
Address
Fielders Cres, Barking, IG11 0FU
Time
Weekly sessions Tuesdays / Saturdays
Contact Details
Visit Instagram or the Barking Food Forest website
Fruitful Orchard
Address
Manning Road Allotments, RM10 9QU
Contact Details
Email Mide@fruitfulorchard.co.uk to enquire about training / consultations
CASS Seed Bank
Address
Manning Road Allotments, RM10 9QU
Contact Details
Express interest via Fruitful Orchard
Stoneford Community Garden
Address
3 Leys Ave, Dagenham, RM10 9YR
Contact Details
Email hello@wellsocial.org to express interest in running sessions
Heath Park Community Hall
Address
Frizlands Lane, Dagenham, RM10 7HX
Description
Activities with the Stay Well Stay Safe Healthy Futures Project, for disabled people (or those facing other difficulties) aged 18+
Contact Details
Osborne Partnership
Address
Osborne Square, Dagenham, RM9 5AU
Description
Weekly horticulture sessions for people who have a learning/physical disability, mental health needs or other complex issues
Contact Details
Westbury Community Space
Address
2 gardens at the end of St Awdrys Road, Wedderburn Road and Cranbourne Road, Barking
Contact Details
Find out about volunteer sessions and events on their Facebook page
Valence House Community Garden
Address
Valence Pk, Dagenham, RM8 3HT
Contact Details
Contact the Heritage Ranger via valencehousemuseum@lbbd.gov.uk