Nourishing Norfolk Network
The Nourishing Norfolk Network brings together groups of all sizes who work at grassroots level to ensure communities have access to affordable, healthy food. Established last year, the network provides mutual support, advice and information to help combat food insecurity and make sure no one in Norfolk goes hungry.
Food hubs open
Breckland Mobile Food Store
The Breckland Community Food bus is a project run by Kickstart Charity in partnership with Norfolk Community Foundation and Breckland Council and supported by Norfolk County Council and Feeding Britain. Opened on 9th May 2022, the Breckland Mobile Food store supplies good quality affordable food to rural villages throughout Breckland.
Where is it?
Rural villages across Breckland
When is it open?
Who can I contact about it?
Matthew Page – matthew.page@kickstartmopeds.org.uk
The Burrell Shop
The Burrell Shop located in the Charles Burrell Centre, Thetford, was the first of the Nourishing Norfolk food hubs to open. Support from Breckland Council, Feeding Britain and Norfolk Community Foundation meant the Burrell Shop could open in early November 2020. Members can buy fresh, frozen, dried, and tinned food, alongside toiletries and personal care items.
Where is it?
Charles Burrell Centre, Thetford, IP24 3LH
When is it open?
Tuesday 2pm-6pm, Wednesday and Thursday 9am-1pm
Who can I contact about it?
Stuart Bolding – stuart@charlesburrellcentre.org.uk
Caister Community Larder
The Community Larder is for anyone who needs help with food and other essentials – offering a bag of up to 15 items chosen from the larder shelves for just £3. Tea and coffees are also available. This is a community initiative from Caister Cares – a group that includes the Parish Church, the local schools, the parish council and others.
Where is it?
Caister Community Spoon, King George V Playing Field, Caister-on-Sea, NR30 5LU
When is it open?
Monday 3:30-6pm and Friday 9-11am.
Who can I contact about it?
Email the team at: cclarder@gmail.com
Coastal Community Supermarket
The Coastal Community Supermarket is a mobile offer, currently operating in North and West Norfolk. Members can buy fresh, frozen, dried, and tinned food, alongside toiletries and personal care items. Some items are available for free.
Where is it?
Rural communities across North and West Norfolk, including Wells, Walsingham and Hunstanton.
When is it open?
See Facebook page for details.
Who can I contact about it?
Please contact Helen for further information.
Dereham Food Cabin
Dereham Food Cabin provides a range of fresh, ambient and household items from its bespoke to those on a low income in the Dereham area. The bespoke cabin is a Wellspring Family Centre Project and is located next to the centre and church.
Where is it?
Wellspring Family Centre, 35 Neatherd Road, Dereham, NR19 2AE
When is it open?
Wednesday 10am-12pm and Friday 6pm-8pm
Who can I contact about it?
Jayne Olley (Cabin Coordinator) – foodcabin@wfcdereham.org, or Toby Rouse (Operations Manager) – ops@wfcdereham.org
ENYP Social Supermarket
The ENYP Social Supermarket located in the heart of Heigham Grove, Norwich. Members can buy fresh, frozen, dried, and tinned food, alongside toiletries and personal care items.
Where is it?
Russell Street Community Centre, 53 Russell St, Norwich NR2 4QT
When is it open?
Monday 4pm-6pm, Wednesday 11am-1pm, and Friday 9am-11am
Who can I contact about it?
Please contact: socialsupermarket@enyp.org.uk
Fakenham Food Fellowship
EP Youth have developed their fantastic community food project into the affordable Fakenham Food Hub. The hub will provide fresh, chilled, ambient and household items at affordable prices for members within Fakenham.
Where is it?
11 Oak Street, Fakenham, NR21 9DX
When is it open?
Monday to Friday, 11am-1pm
Who can I contact about it?
nulacooper@epyouth.org.uk / 01328 851020
The Feed Social Supermarket
The Feed’s Social Supermarket caters to residents of NR1, NR2 and NR4. Located on the city side of Hall Road, this social supermarket provides members with discounted fresh, chilled and frozen food, plus toiletries and cleaning materials. With the help of other local partners, The Feed also runs workshops and classes in their adjoining Community Café, providing additional support and advice on things like cooking, money, housing and employment.
Where is it?
65 Hall Road, Norwich, NR1 3HL
When is it open?
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 10am-3pm, Thursday 12pm-6pm
Who can I contact about it?
Andrea Auburn – andrea@thefeed.org.uk
The Food Pantry Feltwell
The Feltwell Pantry work alongside St Mary’s Church in Feltwell to provide good quality affordable food to local people. Funding for this has been supported by Norfolk Community Foundation and Feeding Britain. Opening on 11th October 2021, the pantry caters to the 8 local villages of Feltwell, Hockwold-cum-Wilton, Southery, Lakenheath, Mundford, Methwold, Northwold.
Where is it?
St Mary’s Church, Bell Street, Feltwell, Thetford, IP26 4AA
When is it open?
Monday and Wednesday 9-11:30am, Saturday 12:30pm-2:30pm
Who can I contact about it?
Heidi Strudwick – thefoodpantryfeltwell@outlook.com
Love Downham
Love Downham is an affordable community food hub established by The Swan Youth Project in Downham Market. Offering fresh, chilled, ambient and household items and sitting alongside their fantastic Re-New clothes project.
Where is it?
27-29 Bridge Street, Downham Market, Norfolk, PE38 9DW
When is it open?
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9:30am-3:30pm and Saturday 9:30am-1pm
Who can I contact about it?
Liz Heighton-Jupp, shop telephone number: 01366 667622
Magdalen Street Pantry
The Magdalen Street Pantry by the St Giles Trust offers nutritious and healthy food to families struggling to feed themselves. People pay a small weekly subscription of £3.50 and they can choose their food as they would in any other supermarket. Whilst shopping at the Pantry, expert advice and support is on-hand from our Peer Advisors and Pantry Support worker who can help them address any barriers they are facing.
Where is it?
St Saviour Church, Magdalen Street, Norwich NR3 1AA.
When is it open?
Shopping at the Pantry is by appointment so we can make sure there’s time to talk.
Who can I contact about it?
You can make a referral online via the link below or contact Layla Jones for further information.
The Pantry, Kenninghall
Launched in September 2022, The Pantry is located in Kenninghall and serves the surrounding areas. Creatively using a converted shipping container as their premises, The Pantry stocks a range of fresh, ambient, household and hygiene products.
Where is it?
Next to Kenninghall Village Hall, School Close, Kenninghall, NR16 2EL
When is it open?
Monday 10am-12pm, Tuesday 9:30-11:30am, Thursday 10am-12pm, Friday 9-11am and every other Saturday 10am-12pm
Who can I contact about it?
Heidi Glendenning – thepantrykenninghall@yahoo.com
Purfleet Pantry
The Purfleet Pantry is a social supermarket in south King’s Lynn offering everyday food and essentials at affordable prices.
Where is it?
Southgates Roundabout, King’s Lynn, PE30 5SX
When is it open?
Monday 9am-4pm, Wednesday 9am-1pm, Friday 9am-4pm, and Saturday 9am-1pm
Who can I contact about it?
Email pantry@purfleettrust.org.uk or call 01553 603810
Shrublands Food Club
The Shrublands Food Club is a project delivered by the Shrublands Youth and Adult Centre Charitable Trust in partnership with Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Norfolk Community Foundation. Officially opened on 10th December 2021, its primary purpose is to provide affordable food to people living in Gorleston.
Where is it?
Shrublands Youth and Adult Centre, Magdalen Way, Gorleston, NR31 7BP
When is it open?
Monday, Friday, Saturday 10am-12pm, Tuesday 10am-1pm, Thursday 5:30pm-7:30pm
Who can I contact about it?
Julie Woods – foodclub@shrublandstrust.org.uk
SOUL Foundation Social Supermarket
SOUL Foundation social supermarket is a purpose-built facility on site at SOUL Church, Norwich. Officially opened on 11th April, the social supermarket is a membership-based community shop hosting a range of affordable fresh produce, long-life essentials, and household products.
Where is it?
SOUL church, 4 Mason Road, Norwich, NR6 6RF
When is it open?
Tuesday 12pm-3pm, Wednesday – Friday 10am-3pm, Sunday 12-2pm
Who can I contact about it?
Hannah Lipton – hannah.lipton@soulchurch.com
Sally’s Store
Sally’s Store is a food hub run by The Salvation Army that was opened on Friday 29th April 2022. It has been supported by the Norfolk Community Foundation and Great Yarmouth Borough Council to provide good quality, affordable food to residents within Great Yarmouth. Members can buy a range of fresh, dried and canned food, alongside toiletries and personal care items.
Where is it?
Sally’s Store, Peggotty Road Community Centre, Peggotty Road, Great Yarmouth, NR30 3EF
When is it open?
Monday to Friday, 10am-12pm
Who can I contact about it?
Katherine Nicholls – Katherine.Nicholls@salvationarmy.org.uk
Sheringham Food Club
Sheringham Food Club launched in December 2022 creatively uses a converted shipping container outside the Salvation Army hall. Providing a range of fresh, chilled, ambient and household items, this affordable food hub will support households across Sheringham.
Where is it?
Salvation Army Hall car park, Cremer Street, Sheringham, NR26 8DZ
When is it open?
Monday 10am-1pm, Thursday 10am-1pm and Friday 1-5pm (please click below for further details)
Who can I contact about it?
Simon Fenn: simon.fenn@salvationarmy.org.uk / 07586 570994
Steps
The Steps Food Hub is delivered by the Hub Community Project in Wymondham. Initially, this project will be set up as a hybrid offer combining some free food with a small affordable range of products, whilst the project develops a dedicated space to create the full community store (launching in early 2023).
Where is it?
The Hub, Ayton Road, Wymondham, NR18 0QJ
When is it open?
Tuesday 9:15am-10:30am
Who can I contact about it?
Get in touch with Steve – 01953 798505, info@hubproject.co.uk
Watton Food Hub
Watton Food Hub: Watton Town Council, The Charlotte Harvey Trust, Nourishing Norfolk Network and Breckland Council are working in partnership to supporting the people of Watton and surrounding areas by offering discounted food and hygiene essentials at discounted prices.
Where is it?
Watton Community Centre, Harvey Street, Watton, IP25 6EB
When is it open?
Tuesday 12:30-2:30pm and Thursday 9:30am-12pm
Who can I contact about it?
Get in touch with Jo – 07483371648, foodhub@wattontowncouncil.gov.uk
What’s in a name?
There are efforts to alleviate food insecurity, here’s a guide to just a few:
Community Fridges and Larders – Usually open to anyone in the community, fridges and larders offer a limited selection of food that can be taken for free. This could be fresh or dried, but is usually donated locally. These are often unstaffed, but monitored by volunteers, and can be located anywhere.
Food Pantry – Food pantries tend to be members-only, and often charge small amounts for their food – either per item or per visit – to contribute to the cost of purchasing stock. They are bigger than a community fridge and tend to offer a greater choice of products, sometimes buying in stock and taking advantage of larger food distribution networks, such as FareShare or HiS Church. They may also make up emergency food parcels. They are staffed, primarily by volunteers, and tend to be located in villages and small towns.
Community Supermarket – Like a food pantry, community supermarkets have a membership system that allows customers to buy food at heavily discounted rates. They also tend to buy in more food, as well as personal and household hygiene items and they also take advantage of food redistribution networks. Community Supermarkets often deliver other services, such as hot meals, cookery classes or personalised advice on tackling an individual’s food insecurity and linking into wider support services. They may also make up emergency food parcels. They are staffed, primarily by volunteers but sometimes have one or two paid members of staff, and are usually located in more built-up areas, like large housing estates or towns.
Food hubs in action
Since opening the first food hub in Thetford in November 2020, food hubs using a range of different models have opened across the county.
Watch the video below to see a number of food hubs in action and the difference they’re making to communities in Norfolk.
What’s needed?
Phase 1 of the project is nearing completion, but we still need your support to get our food hubs to the next level:
- Open food hubs in harder-to-reach areas.
- Kickstart the next phase of the Norfolk Distribution Hub, where surplus and donated stock are received and stored before being distributed throughout the county-wide network of food hubs.
- Develop relationships with the Norfolk farming community, making sure surpluses end up on local people’s tables.
How can I help?
We need Norfolk to help Norfolk. If you want to join this innovative project, please consider:
- Food producers can help people on their doorstep by donating surpluses locally. Talk to Victoria to find out more.
- Contact your local food hub to find out how you can donate food or your time.
- Making a donation. We need funds that match the scale of the issue. Donate here.
If you can support us in helping to ensure no-one in Norfolk goes hungry, then please get in touch.
Interested? Talk to Graeme
