A welcoming community food shop is up an running after relocating to help make life easier for more people living in Ardrossan.
The Community Food Shop, 14 Glasgow Street, has been set up by Ardrossan South Larder and is supported by the Council’s Fairer Food network, which comprises 16 food larders with various partner organisations.
Ardrossan South Larder used to be based in the Church of the Nazarene but has been rebranded and is now open in its new home just along the street.
Larders help people in low-income households across North Ayrshire to top up their weekly shop and get some additional groceries and support if they receive an unexpected household cost or bill.
Some, including the new one in Glasgow Street, also operate a community food exchange that sees surplus food being collected from local supermarkets to share with residents.
Fair For All Development Officer Elaine Wright said: “Our network of larders and community shops provides a very important service to people who sometimes need a bit of support when it comes to their weekly groceries.
“People may have been landed with an unexpected bill or household cost, and they can top up their weekly shop through a community shop or their local larder.
“Each one operates slightly differently, but you can generally get fresh fruit and veg, tinned goods, toiletries and frozen food.
“If you need help, please don’t hesitate to pop into the one nearest your home and find out more about membership fees and how things work.”
Ardrossan South Larder is part of North Ayrshire Food Bank, which is affiliated to the Trussell Trust.
Craig Crothswaite, North Ayrshire Foodbank, explained: “The shop has two functions – the first is the larder project, which we originally operated from the church. We are keen to see if being in a shop front now will encourage the wider community to come in and use the larder.
“The other side of the shop – the community food exchange – is more to do with food waste, and supermarkets donate lots of fresh produce to us.
“The aim of this is to reduce food waste and stop food going to landfill, and anybody who lives in North Ayrshire is welcome to come in and take these goods.”
The Community Food Shop is open Monday to Friday from 3pm until 6pm. The team will offer a warm welcome to anyone who wants to become a member, donate to or take items from the community food exchange or volunteer.
You don’t need to be a member to access the community food exchange – this is open to everyone.
There is a £4 per week fee to join the larder and you must live in Ardrossan South (below the High Road, including Ardrossan Academy area to the coastline) to join.
“Our network of larders and community shops provides a very important service to people who sometimes need a bit of support when it comes to their weekly groceries. People may have been landed with an unexpected bill or household cost, and they can top up their weekly shop through a community shop or their local larder.”Fair For All Development Officer, Elaine Wright
You can find out more about the foodbank and wider network of community larders, including how to become a member or volunteer, on the council website.
You can also check this video out on our YouTube channel to hear Elaine Wright speak more about the Fairer Food network: Community Food Shop Opens in Ardrossan
For locations and opening times of food banks and community larders in communities across North visit the Google Map locator.
There is also a helpful Cost-of-Living support webpage where you will find a referral form for various avenues of support, budgeting tips and health and well-being guidance.
