The idea
Our dignified, points-based shopping model gives local families access to fresh, chilled, frozen, and ambient groceries at a fraction of high-street prices, actively preventing food poverty without the stigma of a traditional food bank.
How we’ll get it done & who is involved
We already have the physical premises, the retail infrastructure, and a rapidly expanding community base. The supermarket is managed daily by our dedicated CIC leadership team alongside a passionate network of local volunteers who manage inventory, assist shoppers, and run the counter.
To keep our shelves consistently stocked, we work with surplus food networks to rescue high-quality food before it goes to waste. Our primary challenge now is protecting our operational runway. By securing external funding for our fixed property overheads, our team can focus entirely on the operational logistics of weekly restocks and funding the surplus stock costs.
What we'll deliver
- A fully operational Social Supermarket open to members at least 6 days a week
- Fully Stocked Shelves rescuing 700kg of surplus groceries a week (minimum)
Why it's a great idea
Direct Cost-of-Living Relief: Ensures continuous, uninterrupted access to low-cost, high-quality groceries for our 400+ members (and counting), directly stretching squeezed household budgets.
Long-Term Financial Sustainability: Allows the CIC to transition from a grant-dependent startup into a self-funded retail engine that can support the town for years to come.
Dignity and Choice: Maintains a welcoming, vibrant high-street space where community members shop with autonomy and pride, breaking the cycle of food poverty stigma.
Reduced Food Waste: Strengthens our capacity to rescue large-scale surplus food from major retailers and redirect it straight to local dinner tables.
Steps to get it done
- Pay rent block securing high street location
- Transition to a fully independent, self-sustaining model covering both inventory and rent.
- Redirect shop revenues to secure additional surplus lines otherwise unachievable
