Posted on 9th Nov
A Rainworth community charity has created what it believes to be the first social supermarket.
People pay a membership contribution to take away a basket of daily supplies for as little as £2 per visit.
That money is used towards buying items for another community scheme, emergency food relief for households who are vulnerable, isolated or in need. That scheme provides free food parcels, medication collections and also befriending support.
The projects, which serve Rainworth, Blidworth and surrounding areas, have been set up by the Social Action Hub, based on Kirklington Road.
The social supermarket will be open on Mondays and Thursdays, from 11am to 3pm, during school term time.
It aims to tackle food poverty, waste and stigma.
Amelia Betts, food scheme co-ordinator, said: “As food poverty continues to loom large for many households we have worked together with partners to develop a stigma free, sustainable solution to reducing food waste whilst tackling food poverty.
“There is no shame in asking for help. Food poverty can affect people from all social backgrounds and ethnicity, for all kinds of reasons, but we are not just asking for people who are desperate, this is a new solution to provide low-cost food whilst preventing waste.”
The hub has been running a Foodshare and Community Fridge project since 2017. During the height of the first coronavirus lockdown volunteers supported more than 1,500 households and provided more than 8,000 meals.
Food and donations for both the emergency food relief project and the social supermarket are welcomed. When making donations people are asked to stipulate which part of the project they want to donate to.
Amelia added: “It’s thanks to Coalfield Regeneration Trust and support from the Feeding Britain Network and generosity of businesses, that we are pleased and proud to announce the launch.”
For more information on the social supermarket call 01623 490498, text 07305 782569 or email info@socialactionhub.com
