FoodSavers combines low-cost food pantries and other food support with Credit Union savings, empowering members to shop and save with dignity and choice, and building resilience.
This is one of the most interesting and humane things to come across my desk in a long time.
Activity
Operating a low-cost food pantry, stocking fresh and store cupboard food, for members to shop at weekly. Signing up members with a simple application form. Carefully recording customer visits and payments on an online platform to ensure that Credit Union savings are allocated to each customer correctly. Sourcing donated and intercepted food. Ongoing training and support are provided.
Time
Setting up a project starts with a vision meeting and signing a partnership agreement, followed by some initial training for leaders and volunteers leading up to a launch. This can be done in around six weeks, but may take longer. Most pantries then open weekly for around two hours, plus some admin time and collecting food.
Cost
There is a £500 one-off licencing fee which goes towards the costs of the software platform which tracks membership and payments, and training and support from the central team. You will need to source food to stock the pantry, which will usually be through a mix of donations, collection points, and purchasing where necessary.
Partnership
You will need to develop links with food providers, whether through existing food networks or direct with suppliers. It is also good to build networks with other support as FoodSavers members often have multiple needs which can best be addressed in partnership with other support organisations. We facilitate the relationship with the Credit Union.
Support
We hold an initial vision meeting, training for your key contact(s), and initial training for volunteers. We provide you with access to the software platform which records members' visits and payments and submits them to the Credit Union each month, and training in how to use it. A Relationship Manager provides ongoing support and advice as needed.
Resources
You will need a space for the pantry where food can be laid out for customers to choose from. This could be a dedicated space set up as a 'corner shop', or a space where food can be brought out onto shelves/tables, with a storage room to pack down into. You'll need a laptop/tablet for recording to the platform.
People
You will need to nominate a single point of contact and deputy to take the lead and ensure data is recorded and savings info submitted to the Credit Union. A typical pantry session operates with four or more volunteers at a time, most projects average a pool of around ten volunteers.
Replications
FoodSavers has:
Replications
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