8 September 2023
Located in the heart of King Cross, a social enterprise based in Kings Cross that brings businesses and people together through food. Fueled by FareShare, the Pantry is helping people boost their weekly shopping and catch up with their neighbours.
“The Pantry has had a very positive impact on my diet, as well as how to feed my family. It also makes me feel like I am part of something greater,” said one of the Pantry’s users.
Once a week, Pantry members pay £3.50 to choose a basket of food, usually worth between £15 and £25. The Pantry uses good quality, in-date food, that might otherwise have been thrown away.
However, shopping is just one cog in the machine; the pantry also serves as a social hub, a soup café and an advising facility. And it is clear that the Pantry’s well-rounded support is filling the gap left by the cost of living crisis as demand rises as a result of the difficult economic environment.
“Demand continues to grow – so much so that we have added an extra session.” says the Pantry’s Community Coordinator, Martha Ahmet.
“People on low incomes, those on benefits, and large families are all struggling to pay their winter bills. As a result, they are being forced to cut back their food shop to the basics, which we know can open a gateway to a whole load of other problems.
“The Pantry is therefore filling a much-needed gap, and I am in awe of the life-changing effects that are achieved in our community with the help of food that would have otherwise gone to waste.”
Events centered around food and shared meals provide chances for social interaction, enhancing interpersonal bonds and building a sense of community.
Since joining the Pantry, 89% of members say they worry less about the price of their food shop, and 94% feel more connected to their local community. One member explained how the Pantry has helped them build their confidence by mixing with people outside of their own culture.
“It was easy for me to mix with my culture, but I was never able to meet people from other cultures. Now the pantry helps me to speak with others and helps me with my English, it’s made me more confident to mix with people away from my culture.”
The Pantry receives a mixture of fresh, frozen and stored cupboard goods each week from FareShare Go and the Felix Project, part of the FareShare network.
“It’s all very straightforward and predictable each week,” added Martha.
“We are deeply grateful for the food they share with us, especially in the current cost of living crisis.
“With their support, our Pantry is helping our community to eat well, learn new ways of cooking with ingredients that they would never have considered buying at another time, and, just as importantly, bringing people and communities together during these tough times.”
