Largs community food larder opened its doors this week, bringing the total number of community food larders across our North Ayrshire’s six localities to 15.
Residents in Largs now have the opportunity to get local access to a variety of low-cost produce including tinned foods, dried goods and personal hygiene products.
All part of the Council’s Fairer Food network, the volunteers at Largs Food Hub warmly opened their doors to their new community food larder – located at Largs Library – on Tuesday, February 27, to provide dignified and affordable access to food for those who are struggling to make ends meet.
North Ayrshire Council has been supporting community organisations as they co-produce a community food network known as North Ayrshire Fairer Food, which began at the start of Covid-19 as part of the initial local pandemic response.
Good examples of local community food provision that have already been developed operate at Fullarton Community Hub in Irvine and Café Solace.
The community provision based at Largs Library, works on a membership basis and provides a way for locals who are struggling to make ends meet to top up their weekly food shop with their own choice of foods available. This is a more dignified approach to food insecurity and helps members to make their money go further by giving them access to good food at a lower cost.
Irene Weir, Chairperson of Largs Food Hub said: “After many months in the making, we are delighted to now be opening the new Largs Food Hub. Our goal is to provide an accessible and affordable source of food to anyone in the area who needs it. The larder will be run by members of our community, for members of our community, and I know that it will be a vital resource to families and individuals in the area.”
Irene Weir, Chairperson of Largs Food Hub said: “After many months in the making, we are delighted to now be opening the new Largs Food Hub.
“We’ve been working hard to get the new Food Hub set up and we will be open every Tuesday from 2.30pm – 5.30pm and every Friday from 10.30am – 12.30am. This will be our initial opening hours until we see what the demand is.
“Our goal is to provide an accessible and affordable source of food to anyone in the area who needs it. The larder will be run by members of our community, for members of our community, and I know that it will be a vital resource to families and individuals in the area.
“Working alongside the Council, our Food Hub has been set-up to help families and other residents to get a little more out of their weekly grocery shop for much less and most importantly provide a discreet service, free from stigma.
“With a good number of our community already expressing an interest, and 12 people signed up for memberships so far, the team are off to a flying start, working alongside the Council to help families and individuals to top-up their weekly shopping at an affordable price.”
Unlike a food bank, the larder is not an emergency food provision, and no referral is required.
Membership is open to everyone within the catchment area (of North Coast locality) and all that is needed to join the scheme is a letter to confirm your name and address and a form of ID. The Food Hub will operate on a drop-in basis but if members prefer, they can book an appointment during opening times.
Deirdre Oakley, our Locality Officer supporting the Largs project said: “I am absolutely delighted that, after months of planning and preparation, the Largs Food Hub opened its doors on Tuesday 27 February 2024. The opening of the Hub has been well received by the Community and will be a valuable resource for everyone in the local area.
“The volunteers are to be commended for all their hard work and commitment in helping get the Hub up and running. Their dedication has been tremendous.
“Next step is to start the whole process again on the Isle of Cumbrae, a challenge I am looking forward to. Watch this space…”
Visit Foodbanks and community larders (north-ayrshire.gov.uk) to find your nearest larder and for opening times of our other larders, visit the Locator Map.