New affordable family meals range launched in West Lindsey

It is an initiative designed to help local families access wholesome, affordable, and convenient food options.

The meals are being sold through established food banks for £4. They are ones that have also been stocking the £1 single person meals.

Produced by the same skilled chefs behind the successful £1 meal range, these new family-sized dishes come in a 2.4-litre reusable Pyrex container, complete with full labelling, ingredients, and heating instructions.

Each meal is designed to feed two hungry adults and three children, with the potential to stretch even further. It is funded by the UK Government and supported by the council.

Coun Emma Bailey, chair of West Lindsey District Council’s Prosperous Communities Committee, welcomed the initiative, saying: “We are delighted to support the East Lincolnshire Food Collective in launching this fantastic new family meals range.

“At a time when many households are feeling the strain, initiatives like this make a real and meaningful difference. These nutritious, ready-to-heat meals not only help families put wholesome food on the table but also strengthen community resilience across West Lindsey.

“We’re proud to work alongside ELF and our local partners to ensure everyone has access to affordable, dignified support when they need it most.”

To ensure families receive a full and balanced meal, dishes may be accompanied by a microwavable vegetable side (provided) or suggested pairings such as rice, pasta, or potatoes (not provided).

Decisions on additional sides will be made by individual food banks and community groceries.

Early feedback from participating communities has been extremely positive, with particular praise for the cottage pie. All meals arrive frozen and the range will vary depending on the protein donations ELF receives from FareShare.

A spokesperson from the East Lincolnshire Food Collective (ELF) Norma Higton said: “We hope the meals get to the families that need them most in West Lindsey and will be stocked at food banks in Caistor, Market Rasen and Bardney.

“The scheme is open to all registered foodbanks/community groceries in the region and delivery can be arranged at cost.”

A key part of the programme is sustainability and as such the group asks that the Pyrex dishes be returned, so they can be reused.

The scheme has been a success in Louth, who take phone numbers when dishes are issued, and thanks to community cooperation, no dishes have been lost so far. As a result, no deposits are being requested from partnering charities at this stage.

West Lindsey District Council is delighted to play a role in supporting this innovative and community-focused project, helping to ensure that families across the district have access to nutritious, ready-to-heat meals during challenging times.

The places currently stocking the meals include Bardney Grocery at the Open Door, 22a Station Road, Bardney, LN3 5UA; Caistor Food Bank, Caistor Methodist Church Hall, 8 Chapel Street, Caistor, LN76UF and Market Rasen New Life Church Food Bank, Serpentine Street, Market Rasen LN8 3AR.

Any organisation wishing to stock the meals can ring (01673) 858293 and leave a message The group will have to check they keep temperature records of their freezers and don’t sell them at a profit.