Food project helps save money, says service users

People using a community food project have said the service has made a significant difference to their finances.

The Hope Social Supermarket at the Hope Centre in Northampton, which is supported by Comic Relief through Feeding Britain, helps people experiencing financial hardship to access affordable food.

Through a membership service the supermarket provides subsidised groceries and free fresh fruit and vegetables to households across Northampton.

Glynn, who did not want to give his surname, has shopped at the supermarket for the past six months and said: "I used to spend £150 a month on food. I come here once a week and now I spend probably £35-40. It's a no-brainer."

Comic Relief funds the charity Feeding Britain, which tackles food insecurity by supporting a national network of 141 regional and local anti-hunger partnerships, made up of more than 700 front-line organisations, including the Hope Social Supermarket.

Maureen, who did not want to give her surname, said she relied on the state pension for her income and the service made a "huge" difference to her finances.

She added she would struggle to afford the same level of food, particularly fresh produce, without the supermarket.

Mark Roberts, who helps run Hope Social Supermarket, said the project aimed to offer more than just affordable food, but also create a supportive and social environment for users.

"[The conversation with volunteers] might be the only contact [service users] get with people in the outside world.

"So if I can make them smile and send them away happy with a good bag of shopping and a bit of laughter on their face, I've done a good job," he said.

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