New Wheatley Group community larder helps tenants save on food bills

New Wheatley Group community larder helps tenants save on food bills

 Tenant Jodie Docherty, larder co-ordinator Suzanne Oliver, volunteer Sally Brookes, Councillor Wardrop and Wheatley chief executive Steven Henderson (photo by Craig Williamson)

A new community larder in Glasgow set up only four months ago has been praised by tenants and a councillor after 330 customers signed up.

Wheatley Homes Glasgow joined forces with Good Food Scotland in August to create a community larder at the bottom of a multi-storey block in Kennishead Avenue.

Scottish Greens Councillor, Martha Wardrop, who is the Convener of the Neighbourhoods, Housing and Public Realm City Policy Committee, was given a tour of the larder and met tenants who are saving money on their food bills.

Councillor Wardrop said: “I’ve really enjoyed my visit and the Kennishead Larder is a great resource for the local community.

“It’s a fantastic use of a premises and it’s clear to see how much work has gone into transforming this space to offer a quality shopping experience, while also acting as a hub for Wheatley Homes Glasgow tenants to meet up and socialise.”

The larder has become an instant hit in the community with tenants and local residents signing up to access healthy, low-cost food, including fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, cheese, bread, baby food, nappies, frozen food and tinned goods. Halal meat is also available to cater for the Muslim community.

Tenants spend on average £9.85 each visit, which buys them food and other essentials worth up to £20.

Larder co-ordinator, Suzanne Oliver, said: “Kennishead Larder is a stepping stone for people who are struggling financially. It saves them money on food and helps to get them back on their feet.

New Wheatley Group community larder helps tenants save on food bills

“It’s had a huge impact on the local community and other areas. People come back time and time again and help us spread the word with family and friends.

“We want to let people within the community know that we’re here to offer a friendly, cheaper service that is on their doorstep.”

Volunteer and Wheatley Homes Glasgow tenant, Sally Brookes, added: “The larder has been excellent for everybody and has made a big difference in the area.

“You don’t realise how difficult times are for people. A lot of people don’t have access to cars and can feel isolated at home. They find it easier coming here as they can meet new people and have a chat while saving money on their shopping.”

Following the huge demand for the service, Wheatley Homes Glasgow, part of Wheatley Group, is planning to open other larders in communities across the city.

Steven Henderson, chief executive of Wheatley Group, joined Councillor Wardrop and tenants on the visit. He said: “We are doing everything we can to support our tenants through the cost-of-living crisis. Our partnership with Good Food Scotland in Kennishead is bringing the community closer together and helping tenants tackle the worry of rising food bills.

“The larder is just one way we are supporting tenants and our communities. We recently launched our £6 million ‘Here for You’ cost-of-living crisis campaign which further enhances and strengthens the wide range of support programmes we have in place to help customers in these difficult times.”

The Kennishead Larder is based on the ground floor of the Wheatley Homes Glasgow multi-storey at 60 Kennishead Avenue and is open 10am-1pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Customers pay an annual fee of £12, or £1 per month, and buy items based on points, with items heavily discounted and significantly cheaper than supermarkets and high street stores.

The money raised goes towards the purchase of stock, in addition to food donations received from major supermarkets and other charities.

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