Social supermarkets
There are several ‘social supermarkets’ in the borough, offering low-cost or free food. Please find more information below.
Cedarwood Trust’s Community Membership Store has been created to offer a quality shopping experience via a weekly membership system to support those on low incomes to reduce food costs and food waste. Members simply pay £4 to get at least £15 worth of shopping, which includes fresh fruit and veg, chilled and frozen foods as well as toiletries and cleaning goods. The store runs alongside existing services at Cedarwood Trust, so anyone using the store can access everything else on offer, including debt advice, budgeting, family and pastoral support, training and volunteer experiences and so much more. To join the subscription supermarket, pop into the Cedarwood Trust with proof of address and £1 to join.
Wallsend Food Pantry is located at The Allen Centre (formally the Allen Memorial Methodist Church), The Green, NE28 7NP. The pantry operates Wednesday mornings, 10am to 12pm, where residents can save up to 50 percent on their food shopping. Pop along to register. You can find out more and contact the service via its Facebook page.
North East Homeless, based on North Shields Fish Quay, has a ‘take what you need, leave what you can’ social supermarket.
Justice Prince, based at Longbenton’s Oxford Centre on West Farm Avenue, runs a food pantry every Friday from 11am to 2pm.
Wallsend-based Walking With, which supports refugees or people seeking asylum in the UK, runs a food pantry for those they work with. No appointment is necessary, and you can find out more information on its website: Walking With.
Forward Assist, based at John Willie Sam’s Centre in Dudley, has a food donation point where members of the community can pick up donated food.
Mindstars, in partnership with Feeding Families, are providing Emergency Food Boxes from the Star Hub in North Shields. Email info@mindstars.co.uk or visit the Hub any Friday from 10am – 2pm.
Whitley Bay Big Local’s ‘pay as you can pantry’ is open every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There's a range of fresh fruit and veg, milk, bakery items, tins and dried goods. The Big Local can be found at 158 Whitley Road, Whitley Bay, NE26 2LY. TEL: 0191 2523570.
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Thanks to North Tyneside Council for providing this information.