A new Community Grocery is opening its doors in Kirkby on 12th March — aiming to bridge the gap between foodbanks and supermarkets.

Based at 48 Lowmoor Road — the former Boots building — the Community Grocery will provide affordable food for members as well as giving access to support courses and more in the future.

A spokesperson said: “Step inside the store and you’ll find the same range of products you’d expect to see in your local supermarkets, including fresh fruit and vegetables, tinned goods, bakery items, frozen food, sanitary products, and household items.

“Signing up at the grocery is easy and gives members who pay £5 per year and might otherwise find it hard to put food on the table, somewhere where they can do a food shop from just £5 per visit — saving on average £20 each shop.

“Thanks to our work rescuing and distributing surplus food, by shopping with us you also get to play your part in protecting the environment and saving thousands of tonnes of food being wasted each year.”

The store is being run by Illuminate Hope, part of The Message Trust’s Community Grocery network.
Since launching in 2020, the network of Community Groceries across the UK has helped to feed more than 68,000 families.

Louise Webber, community grocery development manager, added: “We’re excited to be opening the first Community Grocery in Nottinghamshire.

“Between us, we have been doing community work for around 15 years, lived in the area most of our lives, and want to give back to our community.

“We know that the current climate has made it hard for a lot of people to put food on the table and we want to help those who are finding it tough at the moment.”

Membership costs £5 per year and members are able to visit the store multiple times a week and choose their own shopping for their families.

Andy Hawthorne, global chief executive and founder of The Message Trust, said: “Escalating prices are having a massive impact on everyone’s lives, but for many it’s made life so difficult that they are having to choose every day between heating or eating.

“We can’t stand by and do nothing, so the Community Grocery is here to help. That’s why we’re excited to partner with Illuminate Hope and open a new store in Kirkby.

“Bridging the gap between foodbanks and supermarkets, the store is here to make it easier for our members to put food on the table by reducing the cost of the weekly shop, while also providing them with support and courses, too.”

To find out more about Kirkby Community Grocery, go to communitygrocery.org.uk

The store will be open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 9am to 4.30pm, and on Thursdays, from 10.30am to 6.30pm.

The store said stock available in store will vary dependent upon donations, but as part of their £5 shop members can choose 12 items from across the store.