The Best Before Food Store will have its official opening on Tuesday 20^th September 2022, 1.00pm at The Well, Christian Centre in Rockwell Green. (Formerly Rockwell Green Christian Centre).

The Best Before Food Store is a new community project that has been developed over the last six months in partnership with Somerset West and Taunton local pantry schemes.

The food will mainly be sourced via the charity Fareshare, who redistribute surplus food via community and charitable groups to those who need it most.

For a charge of £4 per week, members will be able to obtain fresh, chilled and ambient food that would normally have cost between £15 and £20.

Paula Appleby, Project Manager for the scheme said: “The launch will be an exciting day as we move from planning and developing the project, to actually opening our doors and helping people. We have a fantastic team of volunteers that will run the store and together we want to provide a service that builds the community and helps people in these difficult economic times.”

There will be children’s activities available, as well as opportunities to join in with a programme of fun, and educational events, such as cookery demonstrations.  The Store will also provide signposting to other services that support people in the community.

Mark Lithgow, Mayor of Wellington, and his wife Sarah will be attending the launch event.  Other attendees will include representatives from local community organisations, the Best Before Food Store Trustees, Volunteers and of course our first members.

As well as the pop-up grocery store, members will also benefit from a social space where they can enjoy refreshments, and a chance to chat and make new friends.

It is hoped in the future to open other Best Before Food stores in different parts of Wellington, so that even more people can benefit from low cost food, and be a part of building a strong community together.

The Best Before Food Store will normally run each Tuesday afternoon from 3.00pm at the Well Centre, Rockwell Green.  Full membership costs £4 and includes a weekly visit to the pop-up store, plus access to the social space and activities.  Associate members can join free of charge to just access the social space and additional activities.