New community pantry tackles hidden food poverty

A new community food store has opened on Banstead high street to help people struggling to afford groceries.

Members of the pantry - which opened on Monday - can buy up to £35 worth of food and household items, such as fresh veg and tea, for £5.

It is stocked with donations and surplus food from supermarkets, which would otherwise be thrown away, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Project manager Bex said: “We want shopping to be a dignified experience."

The pantry, located between M&S and Waitrose, already has about 75 members.

Manager Ashley said it was important for there “not to be any shame associated” with coming to the store.

“Living in Surrey can be really difficult when you don’t have a disposable income,” she said.

Although Banstead features low on the level of deprivation in Surrey, Ashley said that there are pockets of hidden food poverty, which can be missed in more affluent areas.

One in every 10 children in Surrey were living in "absolute low income households" last year, according to Surrey County Council.

The pantry is also looking at putting on cooking classes, sewing workshops, and energy saving guides to help members save money.

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook and on X. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.