New 'social supermarket' project launches this week to tackle food poverty on deprived estates in Northampton

Homelessness and poverty charity, Hope is launching their new food club on Friday in Blackthorn, which will sell vegetables and salad grown on reclaimed urban land as well as in-date food priced at a third of the market rate to hungry people on lower incomes.

The project - which will be overseen by Blackthorn Good Neighbours and other community groups - will see homeless service users make use of recycled garden tools, which they currently repair in Hope's workshop and will provide opportunities to train people in horticulture who will grow the vegetables and salad.

The healthy project offers those on lower incomes the chance to purchase a membership so they can, in turn, buy their food at a subsidised rate. The food also includes tinned and packaged goods that will be sold in pop-up shops through community projects on deprived Northampton estates.

Bosses on the crowdfunding page said: "It's a radically different model from the food bank system, and we think offers more dignity and sustainability.

"In foodbanks, people can only get food in crisis, only a few times a year, and even though the people who run food banks may treat people kindly and well, it's still often a degrading experience to consumers to feel that they have reached this point.

"Unlike in food banks, our food will be available throughout the year to help address long-term poverty week in, out.

"The club's affordable food will free people from the worry of food poverty all year round, and allow more spend on fuel, rent and clothes for the family. The only criteria for membership is low income, such as benefit entitlement. Through membership, they will also have a say in how the project is run, volunteer and get involved."

To read more about the project, click: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/hope-foodclub