Welcome to
Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance

Think food. Think support. Think change.

Our Purpose

The Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance supports people in Derby who are experiencing food insecurity, through food provision, signposting, support and advice.

We partner with 17 food-based projects, including 6 community shops, community pantries, and traditional food projects. We also work with 30 local community meal-based projects.

Whilst we continue to meet the immediate need of food insecurity, our main focus is to support and signpost those accessing our services to tackle the root causes of their deprivation and poverty.

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A selection of food in a cardboard box
A selection of different types of unlabelled food

Getting Support

If you need assistance we can provide you with a range of support, including an emergency food provision.

How to get support

Join our current initiatives to help support our community

Graphics advertising the Derby Community Lottery

Derby Community Lottery

Lotteries are a fun and effective way for causes to raise much-needed funds in these difficult times. By getting more people on board, they don’t just raise funds, they also raise awareness.

Play for DF4TA

Volunteers gathered around a laptop and sorting food donations from boxes

Call line volunteers needed

We take on average of 350-400 calls a month. We are looking for volunteers to help cover 3/4 hours a day on Tuesdays Wednesdays and Thursdays between 10am - 4pm.

Volunteer Now

Struggling financially?

At DF4TA, we understand the importance of financial stability in achieving overall well-being. While we don’t provide direct financial assistance, we have gathered a list of trusted resources that can help you better manage your finances and navigate financial challenges.

Find out more

Latest News

26 Jan 2026

A big thank you to Sebastian, our Duke of Edinburgh's Award student

Sebastian spent time at our Central Storage Unit creating and updating poster designs — using his budding artistic skills to make something really special.

21 Jan 2026

Our hearts are glowing — just look at these gifts!

A huge thank you to everyone who donated toys at Derby Arena in support of DF4TA. Your generosity brought joy to local children over the festive season — and those brand-new toys will also help us top…

21 Jan 2026

January donations roundup — thank you, Derby

Since getting back up and running, we’ve welcomed some brilliant donations. Your generosity keeps everyday essentials moving through our network so help is there when people need it. We’re really…

19 Jan 2026

DF4TA on the Hunt for a New Home

We’re growing and on the hunt for a new home in Derby.

18 Jan 2026

Warm Clothing Donation Point in Derbion

In partnership with Derbion, we’re collecting clean, wearable coats, jumpers, hats, scarves and gloves at our Donation Station just outside Sainsbury’s on Level 1.

16 Jan 2026

Thank You to Derby Theatre

This week, the team at Derby Theatre brought over the food donated through their Reverse Advent Calendar, thanks to the generosity of their audiences all season. These donations will help us keep our…

15 Jan 2026

Volunteers Needed – Join Our Next Chapter

Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance is launching a new community shop and school uniform hub, and we’re building a full volunteer team to bring it to life.

14 Jan 2026

URGENT APPEAL – Our furniture project van has been stolen

Sadly, on Monday morning we discovered that our project van had been stolen over the weekend.

9 Jan 2026

Huge thanks to Gareth and the Rolls-Royce plc Civil Large Engines LiveWell committee

They wrapped up our Reverse Advent Calendar with two trolley-loads of food and raised a whopping £1,700 through bake sales, a raffle and Christmas Jumper Day.

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