About Leeds Food Aid Network

We are a city-wide network committed to ensuring that no one in Leeds goes hungry. Here is our story, our mission, and the people who make it happen.

Our mission

Why we exist

Leeds Food Aid Network (FAN) was established to bring together food aid providers, agency workers, the city council, and members of the public to tackle food poverty effectively across Leeds.

Food poverty affects thousands of people in Leeds at any one time. It is not simply about lacking money — it is connected to poor mental health, insecure housing, low wages, disability, and many other factors. Our network addresses the full picture.

Leeds FAN is part of Food Wise Leeds and the West Yorkshire Food Poverty Network, connected to the national Feeding Britain initiative.

2012 Year founded
80+ Member organisations
500+ Active volunteers
30,000+ People supported each year
Our story

A brief history

2012 — Leeds FAN is founded

A small group of food bank coordinators, council officers, and faith leaders met to discuss how to better coordinate food aid provision across Leeds, giving rise to the first meetings of Leeds FAN.

Leeds City Centre

2015 — Network expands to 40 organisations

Growing demand following welfare reform changes prompted rapid expansion. FAN began producing a city-wide directory of food aid services and hosting regular coordination meetings.

Across all LS postcodes

2019 — Tackling Food Insecurity Charter launched

Leeds City Council signed the Tackling Food Insecurity Charter, committing to a cross-sector approach. Leeds FAN played a central role in developing this framework.

Leeds Civic Hall

2020–2021 — Pandemic response

During COVID-19, Leeds FAN coordinated an unprecedented emergency response, helping to ensure food reached thousands of shielding and vulnerable residents across the city.

City-wide

2023–present — Cost of living response

As demand surged due to rising food and energy costs, FAN expanded its membership and doubled capacity at member food banks and pantries to meet growing need.

City-wide
What guides us

Our values

Dignity

Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect. Our services are non-judgemental and designed to protect the dignity of everyone we help.

Inclusion

We serve everyone in Leeds regardless of background, nationality, religion, or circumstance. We actively work to remove barriers to access.

Collaboration

No single organisation can solve food poverty alone. We believe in the power of networks, partnership, and shared purpose.

Evidence

We listen to the people we serve, gather data on food poverty in Leeds, and use evidence to advocate for systemic change alongside crisis response.

Sustainability

We want food aid to be a bridge, not a permanent solution. We connect people to longer-term support to address the root causes of food poverty.

Transparency

We are open about who we are, how we work, and how donations and resources are used across our network.

The people behind the network

Our team

Leeds FAN is coordinated by a small core team supported by hundreds of volunteers across member organisations.

Sarah Williamson

Network Coordinator

James Okafor

Community Partnerships Lead

Priya Patel

Volunteer Coordinator

David Thornton

Data & Communications Officer

Join the team

We are always looking for passionate volunteers and occasional paid staff. Visit our Volunteer page or contact us to find out about current opportunities.

Working together

Our partners & connections

Leeds FAN works alongside a range of city, regional, and national partners to maximise impact.

Leeds City Council

We work closely with Leeds City Council on the Tackling Food Insecurity Charter and the city's food poverty strategy.

Food Wise Leeds

Leeds FAN is part of the broader Food Wise Leeds initiative, which takes a systems-wide approach to food in the city.

West Yorkshire Food Poverty Network

We share learning and resources with food poverty networks across Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, and Wakefield.

Feeding Britain

Leeds FAN connects to this national network, which advocates for systemic solutions to food insecurity across the UK.

Get involved in the network

Whether you are a charity, business, faith group, or individual — there is a place for you in Leeds FAN.

Contact us Donate or volunteer