Cost-of-living struggles inspire Community Cupboard
New social supermarket offers cheaper groceries with dignity and choice.
Cost-of-living pressures have led to the launch of Community Cupboard
Thomas Cliffe and Laura Steele greeted shoppers in the store for the first time on Monday.
“Instead of going to a food bank, being handed a bag and getting back home then finding out that they won't use all those items, at least here they can buy the tokens and shop around for the items they would choose to buy.”
Founder Thomas Cliffe says the first “social supermarket” in Newcastle-under-Lyme, created to support people affected by the cost of living, is intended to give them the “freedom to shop with dignity”.
Run by Community Cupboard NUL CIC, the shop lets members buy groceries at cost price or below, with more choice than other outlets.
Customers can join for £1 for 12 months. They can then buy tokens to use on products across the store.
Cliffe said the concept came from his own experience after he stopped working because of anxiety.
Although his wife was still in work, he said the couple were struggling financially and could not access some types of support.
“It was horrible because you start to panic and think: 'What am I supposed to do? Where am I going to get the next food from?'”
“We either had to choose a meal or choose the bills.”
Cheryl Peeper said the store helped her get through to the next major shop without spending too much.
The supermarket opened for the first time on Monday.
These stores are designed to reduce food waste while supporting people facing food insecurity by selling surplus items at lower prices.
“It was exciting to have everyone come through the doors for the first time and give them that freedom to shop with dignity,” Cliffe said.
Voluntary co-director Laura Steele said the level of need in the area was often overlooked.
“One in four children experience poverty from what we have found, and the average income is £29,000.”
“There was nothing really for the people of Newcastle and it was crying out for it really,” she said.
Cheryl Pepper, a carer who came in after a night shift, called the supermarket “absolutely brilliant”.
“The food's cheap. If you go to Tesco you spend £100, but you come in here, I've put £20 on and I still have some tokens left,” she said.
Fiona Morris was among the first to buy items from the store.
However, lead researcher Dr Claire O'Malley from Teesside University said: “While social supermarkets can improve access to affordable food and reduce waste in the short term, they should not be viewed as a complete solution to food insecurity.”
The report said they should support, rather than replace, government help for people struggling to put good food on the table.
Fiona Morris, who has ADHD, said she had often found large supermarkets overwhelming.
After visiting the new store, she said she immediately felt understood by staff.
“It feels like Supermarket Sweep - I feel like I'm robbing the place,” she said.