New research from Co-op reveals a third of those impacted by the rising cost of living are turning to food charities more often. Of those most impacted and turning to food banks, over half aren’t aware of alternative, sustainable and dignified food projects which can help improve household finances.
Co-op has announced a major new partnership with Your Local Pantry - a low-cost food project and community hub. The partnership, which is funded by Co-op Members, will see the Your Local Pantry network triple within three years from 75 to 225 Pantries across the UK, with the addition of 150 new Pantries.
To date, Your Local Pantry has helped tens of thousands of households strengthen their community, improve finances and access more affordable food as well as reduce isolation and improve mental health. The network, supported by the charity Church Action on Poverty, has expanded rapidly since the first Pantry was opened by Stockport Homes Group in 2013.
Co-op and Your Local Pantry aim to support over 32,000 households over the next three years, saving Local Pantry members almost £5million on shopping bills - up to £1,000 a year per Pantry user. Unlike a food bank, Pantries are open to all and work like any other grocery store, in that members choose the food they want from the shelves.
Members pay a few pounds per shop and in return can choose groceries worth many times more. Since 2016, Co-op members have raised £117 million for local communities, including funding for over 30,000 local community projects supporting an estimated 7million people across the UK throughout the Co-op’s Local Community Fund.
Rebecca Birkbeck, Director of Community and Membership Participation said: “At Co-op, we believe that everybody should have access to good food. It is thanks to our members that we are able support this innovative partnership with Your Local Pantry, as well as many other initiatives, such as our investment grow Hubbub’s Community Fridge network
We are proud to be continuing to support Your Local Pantry, which offers communities a long-term, sustainable solution to help manage their household finances and learn new skills. For all at Co-op, this feels like a real step in the right direction to ensure fairer access to food for all.”
James Henderson, Your Local Pantry Network Development Coordinator, added: “Pantries are fantastic places. They bring people together around food, soften the impact of high living costs, and strengthen the power and potential of neighbourhoods. Communities have long wanted to improve food security while upholding dignity, choice and hope, and Pantries are a proven win-win solution. We're really excited to be teaming up with the Co-op, so another 150 neighbourhoods can open Pantries of their own."
