This page was originally set up to provide information about food for people shielding. We have updated it to provide general information on low cost food services and food banks.
If the information on this is wrong or outdated or you have something to add, email peter on peter@walyc.org.uk with any updates. Last updated 22/12/2020
Food Banks
Food banks issue food “hampers” to individual and families in financial distress. They are accessible via vouchers, self referral or both. Food is donated to Food banks, and everything is before sell by date.
There are two main food banks in the Borough and they roughly correspond to the Leigh side and Wigan sides of the Borough.
For more information on Wigan Council’s self referral for Welfare Support see the following page
Food “Rescue”
Food “rescue” services have two major aims. To reduce short food becoming landfill waste and to provide lower cost food. However, many food rescue services can provide free hampers in emergencies.
Food at such services has variety of dates on it. All of it is safe to eat. Unlike Food Banks – who provide a “standard” food hamper the food can be more eclectic depending on what short dated food has been donated to the service. However, they all have recurring stocks such as dairy, bread, fruit and veg etc.
We know of three main Food Rescue centres in the Borough
- Fur Clemt (Wigan) Mon-Fri 10-15.30 (Web) (Faceboook)
- The Bridge (Leigh), Mon-Fri 10-3. (Web) (Facebook), £2 membership, renewable July. .
- Use Yer Loaf (Atherton) 9.30-2.30 Mon to Fri. Saturday 9- 3 (Web) (Facebook) £2 renewable October.
* All three operate a membership scheme, which is typically £2 per year, renewal on a fixed date.
People use food rescue: 1) to save money or 2) save food from landfill. Or both!!
Satellites, Pantries, ETC
- Both Higher Fold and Greengrass Community Centres are known as satellites of The Bridge
- Higher Folds shop opening hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 12pm – 3pm
Wednesday 1.30pm – 3pm, Saturday 12pm – 3pm
- Higher Folds shop opening hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 12pm – 3pm
- Neighbourhood Food Larder 30 bridge St and 39 Railway Rd (Facebook)
- Tom’s Pantry, St James and St Thomas Church Poolstock (Facebook) (Have a suggested donation of £3 for 20 items. If you like us you can shop with is regular for a £5 annual membership but if you need a help just to get through the holidays you are welcome to come and pay us a visit. Come and belong let us bless with our harvest of good gifts)
- Shevington Youth Club occasionally have some food on offer.
- Wigan and Leigh People First operate a small pantry (Facebook)
- Hindley PICKS, are a voluntary led group called ‘Hindley PICKS’. Our aim is to create a ‘Pop In Community Kitchen & Shop’ in partnership with Fur Clemt & Thrive CIC based in Hindley Library & Community Centre (Facebook), open 10am-2pm, Mon-Fri.
- Scouting For Food serve the areas of Beech Hill and Springfield. (see this news article), £3 see Twitter @SFBHCommUnity
Above All
Above all do not feel guilty about:
1) Needing food support.
2) Not being able to donate yourself to food banks.
If you can’t donate, promote. Food banks and food rescue services are constantly in need of volunteers, liking and sharing their posts on social media helps as well.
OLDER MATERIAL FROM MARCH 2020
We cannot guarantee that this is still in date.
Supermarkets

This is what we know about Supermarkets in the area. We will update when we know about Carer Friendly hours.
WHO | GENERAL HOURS | KEY WORKER HOURS | DELIVER | CARERS COVERD BY KW HOURS? | LIMITS | Age Limits | |
ALDI | 8am to 8pm 10am to 4am | 30 mins before opening. | No | Unknown | 4 items | ||
ASDA | 8am to 8pm 11-5pm | in larger stores every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8am to 9am. | Yes – online shop | 3 per item | |||
B&M | ?? | 10% off for NHS workers | No | Unknown | |||
COOP | 7am to 8pm | 8-9am | No | Unknown | 2 per item | ||
HOME BARGAINS | ?? | No | Unknown | ||||
ICELAND | Varies | Last hour | Yes, from instore shop | Unknown | Usually 2 items | ||
LIDL | Standard | None | No | Unknown | None yet | ||
M&S | Standard | First hour | No | Unknown | |||
MORRISONS | varies | Mon-Sat 7-8am | Unknown | 4 per item | |||
SAINBURYS | 8am and 8pm | 8am to 9am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday | YES | 3 per item | |||
TESCO | varies | Unknown | 3 per item | Checking ages |
Hamper deliveries
(NEW) Cast Northwest |
Cobbs Brow Ln, Wigan WN8 7SF | Offer a food delivery service see https://www.facebook.com/CastNorthWestUK/posts/10157878827046158 |
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The Stable Door Cafe | Thompson House Equestrian Centre, Pepper Lane, Standish Wigan, United Kingdom | No | Yes | Call the stable door on 01257676076 or My-Life 01257472900 https://www.facebook.com/stabledoorcafe/ |
£15 | Hampers will be delivered every Thursday. Payment will be taken on ordering the hamper over the phone so no contact is needed. |
Top Banana | Leigh Market, | No | Yes | 07377738546 to order a veg and fruit box | £30 | Deliver to a 5 mile radius of leigh |
Listers Master Butchers | 15 Gas Street, Leigh | No | Yes – 🍗Monday- Leigh & Lowton 🍖Tuesday – Atherton, Tyldesley & Leigh 🥩Wednesday – Leigh |
https://www.facebook.com/ListersMasterButchers1 | Different prices for different sized hampers. | |
Greenslate Farm | Greenslate Lodge, Orrell, WN5 7BG | No | Yes | https://www.facebook.com/GreenslateFarm order food online | Different prices for different sized hampers £7.50-£20 | Can order fruit, veg and meat all separate tat different prices. |
Boxed Fresh Veg | Westhoughton | No | Yes | https://www.facebook.com/boxedfreshvegetables message through facebook or Call , Text, Whatsapp 07880752456 | £25 | Deliver 10 miles of Westhoughton |
Fruit and Veg Deliveries | Leigh? | No | Yes | https://www.facebook.com/fruitNVegdelivery call 07588327654 | Large mixed box – £25 XL mixed box – £35 | Deliver to Leigh, Atherton, Hindley, Golborne and Newton |
Miscellaneous Suppliers
Bents Food Hall
8.30 -5pm
Grange farm
Pick up only.
Orders by 7pm., open for pickup between 9-3 https://www.facebook.com/pg/grangefarmstore/