VOLUNTEERS are being sought to help with plans to open a local pantry scheme in Wellington in the next few months.

Operating as a membership scheme, the local pantry model seeks to prevent huge volumes of excess food from going to waste by redistributing it at an affordable price to local families.

The model has been successfully adopted in other areas of the UK and is proven to be a sustainable and long-term solution, particularly helping lower income households struggling to put meals on the table.

A similar scheme run out of Rowbarton Methodist Church in Taunton has just celebrated its first anniversary, and has distributed more than 6,000kg of food.

The Wellington pantry, which will be called the Best Before Food Store (BBFS), will operate from Rockwell Green Christian Fellowship, and is being led by Paula Appleby.

The scheme will work by getting good quality surplus food from across the food industry from FareShare, as well as from local shops, allotments and food producers.

Then, for just £3.50 a week, registered households will get between ten and 15 food items worth £15 to £20, equivalent to an annual estimated saving of £1,144. In addition to shelf-stable food, items include fresh produce such as cheese, milk, fruit and vegetables.

Paula is clear about the need for such a service in Wellington. She said: “I see very significant food hardship in the town. There is a definite need for a local pantry - some people just don’t have any food in their cupboards and they can’t afford the energy costs to cook fresh food.”

To start with, Paula envisages including 30 local families in the scheme but believes that that will rise.

Paula is passionate about building a healthy community in Wellington, with a social component to the work of the BBFS, where people can meet just to talk and meet other people, as well as children’s activities, advice for budgeting, meal planning and cookery classes, as well as occasional activities to connect with members and improve health and well-being.

Paula is hoping to recruit at least 16 volunteers who would be needed on a Tuesday afternoon, starting with a soft opening in June. To contact Paula, email [email protected]