By Claire Fuller

Many believe that food poverty is not an issue in our community, however we have pockets of major deprivation in Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath and East Grinstead. It is all too easy for anyone to find themselves struggling to put food on the table for themselves and their families, particularly with the current cost of living crisis, on your street, in your village…

There are several local organisations able to help, you can find out more at Mid Sussex Food Partnership (www.msva.org.uk/get-help-with-food). Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill Food banks are currently supporting many families who are referred to them by partner agencies including GPs, Town Councils or Citizens Advice. Bentswood Community Partnership offers an amazing range of services and support for local residents including the Community Cupboard with free access to those in need.
Burgess Hill Pantry is a less well-known charity supporting those in the RH15, RH16 and BN6 postcodes with a long-term solution to food poverty. Part of a national network, it offers an experience close to empowered supermarket shopping. Each week, for £4, members can choose 10 or more fresh, frozen or pantry items (with an average value of between £15 and £20), saving money and providing affordable healthy foods.

Pantry stock comes from multiple sources. Local supermarkets, Waitrose, Tesco, Marks and Spencer, Lidl and several Co-ops donate food that is close to best before or use by date. The majority of bread and frozen food comes from these donations and a group of volunteers collect these donations throughout the week. Sussex Fareshare delivers each week, the main source of fruit and vegetables in the Pantry and occasionally some crazy products from Kefir to Mcdonalds ketchup sachets. An amazing charity, Fareshare collects surplus from the food industry and redistributes to charities across Sussex. In Kind and the Hygiene Bank also supply items from soap to toothbrushes and toilet roll.

The Pantry is fortunate to receive a number of grants and donations from businesses, charities and individuals that allow them to top-up the stock on the shelves by shopping at local supermarkets. The Pantry has a manager but is run by volunteers who collect donations, stock the shop and run sessions throughout the week. They are an amazing group of individuals.

As Helena, a Lindfield volunteer says: “Giving a little time to The Pantry helps people at a time when they are struggling. I know that we are making a difference when it brings a smile to their faces and they leave with a great bag of shopping.” A Lindfield Pantry member said: “The Pantry gives us access to a wider variety and better quality of food and has made big improvements to my mental health. As a low income family, The Pantry has allowed us to afford more for our children, better school shoes, an occasional ice cream as a treat.”

The Pantry is currently supporting over 450 people in the area and has a waiting list that grows every day. If you would like to help, they would love to hear from you. You can donate food, money or your time. Set up a collection box in your office or school, every item that is donated will make a difference. If you are interested in sponsoring The Pantry please get in touch, they are looking to work with local businesses to secure their future and increase the support and help offered to our community. Get in touch at: hello@bhlocalpantry.org.