Directory: Food, Cookery and Growing

Community fridge and larder tackles food waste and food poverty. Previously located in the Cheese and Grain car park, Market Yard, Frome it has now been temporarily moved to Frome Town Hall and can be found in the brick shed outside. Open daily 9am-5pm. Help yourself to food- no charge.

Community fridge and larder tackles food waste and food poverty. Situated between Screwfix and Aldi within The Haskins Retail Centre, Townsend, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5AX.

Open daily 9.30am-5.30pm. Help yourself to food, there is no charge.

Cookery Course that meets every other Wednesday 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Based at Mind In Somerset, 57C High Street, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5AQ.

You will be shown how food can impact your mental health, and how to give you the knowledge needed to cook great meals for yourself.

The course is free of charge and open to everyone to attend.

Please contact Alison direct on the details below;

Community Outreach is supporting change in people challenged by complex and multiple needs – such as homelessness, addiction, mental health or other life-controlling issues. Our skilled and dedicated team provide short and long-term, person-centred support to create real life difference.

The Food Bank supports community members in Frome and the surrounding BA11 area by providing emergency food parcels. These parcels provide a recipient with enough food for up to 3+ days.

Now based at Unit 7 Longacre, Marston Trading Estate, Frome, BA11 4BG. Parking available and close to the Sainsburys’ bus route.

Opening times are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10.00am – 1.00pm.

To access the Food Bank, you must be referred through organisations such as:
Health Connections Mendip – 01373 468368
Citizens Advice Mendip – 0808 278 7842
Frome Job Centre – 0800 050 6688

The Health Hub is available to all farming or agricultural workers and their families, no matter where you live. Come and see us for: Health and wellbeing checks, advice on lifestyle and concerns affecting your emotional wellbeing. Guidance towards any support you may require in the future No appointments necessary, just call in and speak to one of our volunteers. Supported by Somerset NHS and The Farming Community Network.

2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. Frome Livestock Market Standerwick, Frome, BA11 2QB

Food at Five ‘Takeaway’ hot meals are continuing 3 days per week every week at 5pm.  Hot and nutritious meals with Vegetarian option always available.

Mondays outside The Key Centre, Feltham Lane. Wednesdays at the Cricket Club, Rodden Road.  Thursdays at Trinity Church Hall car park. Free to anyone on benefits or low income. Just turn up.

Parcels are distributed by the Salvation Army, however referrals have to be made via Health Connectors, Village Agents or the Citizens Advice Bureau.

If you are in need of a food parcel please call Health Connections on 01373 468368 Option 2 to complete a referral.

The food bank is manned Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 12 noon:

The Salvation Army, Old Magistrates Court, 21 Commercial Rd, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BU.

Referral only food bank, provided by The Salvation Army, Goswell Road, Street, BA16 0JG.  Collection times from Goswell Road, Street, BA16 0JG are Mondays 10am-1pm, Tuesdays 1pm-4pm, and Fridays 10am-1pm.

Coleford Community food larder is open on a Monday 1.30pm-3pm for collections. If you are in need, you can just turn up – you will find us outside The Hub, Church St, Coleford, Radstock, BA3 5NQ. 
If you are unable to get there in person, delivery would be available by prior arrangement after 3.30pm.
If you need to arrange an urgent food parcel on another day, please call Debbie on the below contact number.

This is not a garden maintenance service. Rather, the aim is to establish mutually beneficial partnerships between frustrated gardeners and garden owners, providing guidance and support to both parties to foster a successful collaboration. Offers a simple and user-friendly platform for connecting individuals on allotment waiting lists with those willing to share their gardens.

Frome Field 2 Fork is a CIC (community interest company) based at Oak Tree Paddock, Whitemill Lane, Frome BA11 4EU.  Growing Food and Friendship takes place on a Tuesday 10am-3:00pm.  It is a free weekly session for anyone who feels that they would benefit from a regular meet up, in a safe and supported space, where you can work together to design and grow a beautiful, edible, community market garden while enjoying the land and forming friendships.

The Volunteer Network are running this allotment project every Tuesday and Wednesday in Glastonbury. They are looking for people who want to get involved in outdoor projects, have an interest in growing produce or want to improve their knowledge and understanding of growing their own food. This project enables participants to gain knowledge to improve their diet and nutrition. It is great for fitness and strength.

If you are interested, please visit their website and complete the online sign up form or contact Sue on the number below.

Frome Field 2 Fork offer a range of free sessions including the Growing Strong. Providing an opportunity to get out in nature, get fit, meet new people, take part in practical conservation, and grow local food with a new social enterprise.  Sundays 10:00-3:00 pm  at Oak Tree Paddock, Whitemill Lane, Frome BA11 4EU.

Work at your own pace in a relaxed environment and choose between activities suited to all levels of fitness. Typical activities include sowing seeds, planting, weeding or pruning, creating no-dig veg beds, digging up brambles, constructing new garden features, hedgerow harvesting and building bug hotels.

Berkley Catering Ltd offer a hot lunchtime meal delivery service in the Frome Area, providing you daily with a choice of two main meals and two desserts brought to you piping hot on china tableware.

Delivery will be between 12 and 1.30pm Monday -Friday Mains meals £4.00 and a dessert £2.00

A complete monthly list of choices will be sent to you, simply ring to pre order or tell us your next order when we deliver. The best time to ring us is later in the afternoon as we are out making deliveries around lunchtime.

Mind in Somerset offer a range of peer support, art and gardening type groups across Somerset. Visit their website to find the closest one to you.  They also offer an online self-care focused support group.

The government’s adviser for the natural environment in England. We help to protect and restore our natural world. Our purpose is to help conserve, enhance and manage the natural environment for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development.

Lots of advice and information that would be helpful for farmers, agricultural workers and anyone working in the rural environment.

Get outside on the farm! Join Paddington Farm in Glastonbury for a morning’s work on the farm, or in the organic vegetable garden, before coming together to share a tasty lunch (made using organic produce).

Tasks vary according to the season, but may include planting and weeding, tree work, fencing, or helping with the apple juice enterprise. You’ll be part of a friendly, welcoming group and you can work at your own pace. Everyone is welcome and no experience is necessary.

Volunteer days are every Wednesday, from 9.00am to 1.00pm.

Contact Paddington Farm for further details or to reserve your place.

Root Connections is a community ‘not for profit’ market garden to improve mental & physical health & wellbeing. based at Stratton on the Fosse, BA3 4QF. We’re open on a Tues & Fri morning from 10am until 1pm, on a Friday we share lunch together. We make gardening accessible to everyone – from all walks of life. We have different areas within the garden to work on and enjoy. A warm welcome awaits anyone who would like to get involved in the garden & join a group of like minded volunteers

‘Volunteer Saturdays’, at Vallis Veg every 2nd & 4th Saturday of each month from midday until 3pm. Volunteers are required to help and maintain the forest school site and allotments. Nearest postcode to the site is BA11 3EA.

Health Connections Mendip share a monthly recipe that anyone and everyone can cook at home.  The recipes are seasonal, healthy, easy to cook and good for the environment.  We’d like people to talk about what they are cooking and eating, we know that having a shared interested is a great way to feel involved and a part of the community. Visit the project pages for past recipes. If you have a recipe you’d like to share please it email it to us at Health Connections Mendip.

Would you like to learn to garden?  Grow vegetables and herbs and be with other people in a safe place?  Improve exercise levels, learn new skills and keep your brain active?

Let nature improve your mood with free weekly gardening sessions in Shepton Mallet.  All abilities are welcome and tools are provided. Sessions are run weekly by an experienced therapist.

Wednesdays 11am-1pm Shepton Mallet

Is open for the collection of food parcels Wednesday/Saturday mornings 10.30-12.30
Only accepts referrals from agencies working with vulnerable people.

Unit 2 Keward Mill Trading estate BA5 1DA

The Growing for Wellbeing Project is a small weekly group that welcomes people who want to get outdoors and learn new skills. It is a beautiful rural location easily accessible by public transport. It can cater for any weather with large areas under cover.

Mondays 10.30-1pm, Catsham, Baltonsborough, BA6 8PQ. Please use to the contact information below to book. Booking essential.

Autism Friendly Growing for Wellbeing Group is a small weekly group that welcomes people who want to get outdoors and learn new skills. It is a beautiful rural location easily accessible by public transport. It can cater for any weather with large areas under cover.

It offers quiet, calm working spaces and a small supportive group with lived experience in autism. Its main emphasis is horticulture, wildlife gardening and rural craft skills. There is no requirement to attend every week or the whole session. Its very much about what is right for the individual on the day.

Thursdays 10am-2pm, Catsham, Baltonsborough, BA6 8PQ