Nottingham People’s Pantry

The low-cost alternative for grocery shopping for the people of Radford, Nottingham

In March 2021, Nottingham People’s Pantry opened in Radford, o ering more than just the essentials. Originally launched as a food parcel, manager Rohan Patel explains that the concept expanded into a pantry designed to help food bank users who were struggling with increasing limits and needed more than just a short-term solution: ‘The food parcel is made up of 26 standardised items, whereas the pantry allows users to pick and choose from the full range of stock for a very low cost. The concept gives people both choice and dignity, and enables them to manage their finances in a more realistic and manageable way.’

At the pantry, customers can shop for goods by weight – 1kg of food and essential products costs only £1, saving customers between £30-100 each week. The pantry has a wide range of stock, thanks to food waste reduction services and supermarkets, plus the excess from on-demand grocery delivery companies. This way, it can cater and care for the needs of various communities, diets and preferences.

It’s not just those who need financial support that can sign up and buy from the pantry either: Rohan explains that while those on universal income find the pantry particularly useful, it brings security to many people’s lives without changing their sense of autonomy and routine. ‘People need to not feel “less than” – a food parcel often comes with a stigma, filled with shame and disempowerment.’ The People’s Pantry can be a stop along the way for those who are temporarily struggling with low income or simply need a weekly lifeline: ‘We never want anyone to feel ashamed – the People’s Pantry is there to enable, and we hope to grow the model and open new stores.’ Maga Flores-trevino