Community food store aims to help families with cost of living

IN response to the rising cost of living the Centre for Building Action (CBSA) has opened a community food store in Burry Port.

The store in Station Road is in partnership with Pembrey and Burry Port Town Council and will provide the community with weekly access to healthy food for only £3.50 per week, food which normally retails at between £15 and £20.

The food is sourced from a variety of suppliers including surplus food from supermarkets that is still within its sell-by date. This is supplemented by food sourced at low prices from whole sellers plus seasonal vegetables harvested from the CBSA’S own growing schemes.

It makes use of surplus food provided by Fareshare and local food stores and any product that is not used is sent to CBSA’S community composting site in Machynys, or used to make hot meals for donation, so there is little or no waste.

Michael Theodoulou, chief executive of the CBSA said: “As a social justice charity, it’s vital that we’re able to support communities with life’s basics and this store does just that.

“It gives the local community access to great quality food at accessible prices, which is so important given prices are rising across the board and benefits are being cut, causing people a huge amount of anxiety.”

During the height of the pandemic, with funding provided by WCVA’S Third Sector Emergency and Recovery Funds, CBSA in conjunction with the town council were able to roll out a food delivery scheme to people experiencing hardship and isolation.

Building on this work it received funding from the People’s Postcode Trust, that enabled the move to Station Road.