FoodBank360's Pantry System supports choice-based and points-based food pantries, community pantries and social supermarkets — giving households a say in what they receive, not just a fixed parcel.
Trusted by Foodbanks & Community Food Organisations Across the UK
Pantry System
FoodBank360's Pantry System supports how UK pantries actually run — from registration through to what's on the shelf when a household shops.
Let households select what they need, up to an allowance.
Run a points-based pantry alongside, or instead of, a choice model.
Register new members without the paperwork, or the duplicates.
Give households control over when they visit.
Know what's on the shelf, using the same approach as the rest of FoodBank360.
Support a community pantry model, not just free distribution.
Getting the Terms Right
A traditional foodbank typically puts together a parcel for a referred household. A pantry works differently — members join, often for a small subsidised contribution, and choose what they need themselves through a choice-based or points-based shopping model, rather than receiving a fixed parcel. FoodBank360's Pantry System is built around this second model, while staying connected to the Foodbank Management System for organisations running both.
Dignity Through Choice
Instead of a parcel packed on their behalf, members shop within a set allowance — selecting the items that actually suit their household, rather than whatever's been put together for them. FoodBank360's Pantry System supports this choice-based model directly.
A Different Way to Shop
Some pantries run on points rather than a straightforward item allowance — giving households the flexibility to balance a few higher-value items against several lower-value ones, within the same overall budget. FoodBank360's Pantry System supports points-based allocation as a distinct model.
FoodBank360's Pantry System supports the different models UK organisations actually use.
The Community Pantry Model
Community pantries in the UK typically work on membership: a small, subsidised contribution in exchange for regular access to a wider range of food than an emergency parcel usually provides. FoodBank360's Pantry System is built to support this model directly — membership-based access alongside choice or points-based shopping.
Less Admin, Fewer Errors
New members can register online rather than filling in paperwork on-site, with duplicate detection built into the process so the same household isn't registered twice by mistake. Once registered, households can book a collection slot or appointment for their visit.
Know What's Available
Choice and points-based shopping only work if stock levels are accurate. FoodBank360's Pantry System uses the same barcode-based stock tracking approach as the Foodbank Management System, so what a household can select reflects what's genuinely on the shelf.
The Pantry System is its own system, built to connect with the rest of FoodBank360 rather than duplicate it. Organisations running both a pantry and a traditional foodbank can use the Foodbank Management System for referrals and parcels, and the Pantry System for choice and points-based shopping.
Explore the FoodBank360 Platform →Who Benefits
Built for organisations running choice-based, points-based or membership pantry models across the UK.
Manage membership, subsidised pricing and choice-based shopping in one place.
For community pantries →Offer a shop-like selection experience backed by real-time stock.
Run parcels and choice-based pantries side by side.
Support pantry-style food access alongside wider community activity.
For churches →Bring pantry membership and shopping into a wider community platform.
For non-profits →Moving to a choice-based model felt like a big change, but FoodBank360 made it manageable. Members register online, book a slot, and choose what they actually need within their allowance — and we can see exactly what's in stock while they're shopping. It's changed how people experience coming to us.
A traditional foodbank typically puts together a parcel for a referred household. A pantry works differently — members join, often for a small subsidised contribution, and choose what they need themselves through a choice-based or points-based shopping model, rather than receiving a fixed parcel.
Yes. FoodBank360's Pantry System supports choice-based shopping, where members select items themselves within a set allowance.
Yes, points-based allocation is supported as a distinct model, allowing households to shop within a points budget rather than a simple item count.
Yes. The Pantry System connects with FoodBank360's Foodbank Management System, so organisations can run parcel-based distribution and a choice or points-based pantry side by side.
Not currently — dietary and allergen filtering within the shopping experience isn't part of the Pantry System today.
The Pantry System uses the same barcode-based stock tracking approach as FoodBank360's Foodbank Management System, so stock levels reflect what's genuinely available to choose from.
Yes, households can book a collection slot or appointment for their pantry visit.
Online self-registration includes duplicate detection, helping prevent the same household being registered more than once.
Yes. FoodBank360's Pantry System supports membership-based access with subsidised pricing, in line with the UK community pantry model.
Yes, the social supermarket model is supported alongside choice-based and points-based pantries.
Not currently — multilingual registration and shopping isn't available in the Pantry System today.
The Pantry System is a separate system that connects with both — the Foodbank Management System for referrals, parcels and delivery, and the Charity Donation System for donations and Gift Aid.
See how FoodBank360's Pantry System supports choice-based and points-based pantries, connected to the rest of your operation.
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