New affordable food hubs set to launch in Morpeth and beyond

An award-winning mobile food club is launching a number of new hubs across the North East, offering regular, affordable provisions of food and toiletries for people in low-income households.

Thanks to a partnership with local housing providers Karbon Homes, Gentoo Group and North Tyneside Council, The Bread and Butter Thing is launching hubs at five new locations across the region.

The first of the new hubs, funded by Karbon Homes, has opened at Stobhill Community Centre in Morpeth, giving local residents the opportunity to sign up and gain access to an average of £35 worth of items, including “fresh fruit and veg, fridge favourites and cupboard staples”, for £7.50 a week. Initial sign-up is free and includes one free shop.

Paul Moralee, community investment manager at Karbon Homes, which is supporting three of the five new hubs with a £75k grant, commented: “As the cost of everyday essentials like energy and food increases much faster than average incomes, community food projects like The Bread and Butter Thing are becoming vital lifelines for our communities.

“We’re proud to have been able to help bring The Bread and Butter Thing to the Stobhill community and look forward to working with them to bring a further two hubs to communities where residents will benefit from a helping hand to get through these difficult times.”

Alongside the supply of food, The Bread and Butter Thing will be working with local community organisations The Stobhill Link and Calmer Therapy to signpost any members who may need advice or practical solutions with debt, managing utilities, help with housing and more.

Brooke Burgess, centre manager at The Stobhill Link, added: “We welcome this opportunity from Karbon Homes to collaborate with Calmer Therapy and be involved in bringing The Bread and Butter Thing to people in Stobhill.

“The project will offer residents reliable access to affordable, nutritious food and give Stobhill Link the chance to engage with the community and offer support.

Donna Swan, founder of Calmer Therapy, remarked: “We’re going to use the opportunity to turn the centre into a warm hub while our volunteers pack and organise the shopping, giving people the chance to come sit in the warmth and grab a cuppa while they wait for their shopping.”

The Bread and Butter Thing, which was founded in Manchester in 2016, works with manufacturers, retailers and the hospitality industry to redistribute food surplus to people who need it the most. Its community vans regularly redistribute over 100 tonnes of food a week to almost 80 community locations.

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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