Dereham will soon have its first 'social supermarket' as hundreds of people across the town prepare for another year of financial strife.
The Food Cabin, a community project kickstarted by Wellspring Family Centre and a new neighbour to Mid Norfolk Foodbank’s Dereham distribution centre, will open later this month.
It will offer fresh, frozen and non-perishable food at subsidised prices to families struggling to make ends meet.
Operating out of purpose-built premises beside the Wellspring centre in Neatherd Road, the Food Cabin is aimed at those who do not meet the emergency criteria of the food bank.
Toby Rouse, the project manager, said: "Our aim is to help a relatively small number of people on a longer-term basis.
"The food bank's clientele are people in emergency situations, whereas ours will be those who are just about managing and regularly struggling with their bills.
"I think in Dereham we can have a significant impact. We don't yet know for certain, but we think we could reasonably help about 100 households on a regular basis."
The Food Cabin will be run on a membership basis, with users able to sign up and purchase items with a discount of around 30pc.
Members must be based in Dereham.
In addition to offering food, the facility will signpost people to other services where they can access mental health support or budgeting advice.
Dave Pearson, the Mid Norfolk Foodbank’s founder and director, added: "The food bank is supposed to be for an emergency, so the vast majority of our people we only see once or twice, which is the way it should be working.
"The cabin, on the other hand, is looking to help people long-term with their shopping if they've only got a little bit of money. They can buy what they want, rather than what they're given through the food bank.
"Although we are in pretty much the same building, it's a totally different modus operandi."
Mr Pearson revealed the food bank had experienced a particularly busy period before Christmas, with 40 people coming in a single day.
In the past, 15 people was considered a busy day.
He added: "Everybody talks about the cost of living crisis but, when you see it at the sharp end, it's really worrying."
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