Mansbridge residents can now help reduce food waste and purchase food for a fraction of the cost of supermarkets thanks to a new community pantry at the Round About Café.
Membership to the pantry costs £1 a year, and customers can then choose either 10 items for £3.50, or 15 items for £5. And anyone with an SO postcode can join.
It forms part of the café’s mission to be more than just tea and coffee, to support the local community and reduce food waste. The café is supported by Abri, one of the south’s largest housing providers.
“We’re really passionate about supporting our customers and community, and preventing good food going to waste. So, a community pantry in our Round About Café is the perfect fit. It’s a great opportunity for the café and the community to do our bit for the climate. By working with different providers, like Fareshare and local supermarkets, the pantry will offer produce right in the heart of the community at a fraction of the cost,” says Cita Jagot, Communities and Involvement Manager.
“At the pantry customers choose what food they want – we don’t prepare the bags. Anyone with an SO postcode can join, there’s no other criteria. Customers will save money, meet new people, and support the local community. And it means we’ll have even more volunteering opportunities too. It’s all part of Abri’s aim to create a culture of low-carbon thinking to become carbon zero by 2050.”
The Round About Café opened seven years ago. It’s supported by volunteers, and over the years they’ve run lots of events for the wider community. Not forgetting the freshly prepared meals, homemade cakes, and signature sausage rolls by Nigel, the Café Supervisor.
During the lockdowns, the café had to close its doors to the community. Although they were unable to trade as normal, they made and delivered food parcels to support the Mansbridge community. This made the café really evaluate what they offered and how they could continue to provide services like this in the future.
Next time you’re in Mansbridge, make sure you pop in, meet the volunteers (and Nigel), and sign up to the pantry.
You can also download a membership form here.