'We aim to bridge the gap between food banks and shopping at your supermarket'

TOWN'S COMMUNITY PANTRY SELLS CHEAPER FOOD ITEMS

- By JODIE BRADLEY

FOR many people in Essex and beyond food poverty is a very real and serious issue nowadays.

Food banks provide people with some staples for free however, for people with dietary restrictions and religious restrictions, packages provided by food banks are not always customised to their needs.

However, many people cannot afford to shop at larger supermarkets, particularly in Brentwood, where the only big supermarkets available are Sainsury’s and M&S.

In order to combat this, Brentwood Community Pantry, hosted by Manna Meals, was opened earlier this year. Essex County Council invested £15,000 into it.

The pantry has been running as a pop-up shop in the Bishop's Hall Park Community Centre, in Pilgrims Hatch. The shop provides residents with affordable cupboard essentials, toiletries and fresh food.