We have committed £10,000 to help two community supermarkets expand.
Limes Farm and Noah’s Ark community pantries are based in Epping Forest. They sell items such a fresh fruit and veg, canned goods and ready meals at a reduced cost.
Limes Farm, in Chigwell, is run by Community Champion, Lynne Moir. The pantry also offers wider community support, including a lunch club and a dementia café. The extra funding will enable Limes Farm to extend the reach of their work, with a bigger range of produce.
The community pantry currently has a membership of 60 residents. It is open every Tuesday from 10am to 2pm and Thursdays from 10am to 3pm.
Noah’s Ark Community Pantry, Buckhurst Hill, has existed as a pantry for many years. Alongside reduced cost items, the pantry also has a small free offer.
Noah’s Ark serves over 200 members from St Elisabeth’s Hall. It is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 4pm.
Both have received funding thanks to our Community Supermarkets Programme.
Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council and Cabinet Member for Levelling Up, Communities and Business Engagement, said:
It was fantastic to visit Limes Farm and Noah’s Ark community pantries recently, to see first-hand how we can provide more support to these existing hubs as part of our community supermarket programme.
We’re committed to setting up a community supermarket in every district in Essex and this includes supporting the expansion of existing services.
The additional £10,000 funding we are providing, will further diversify the range of products available for the over 250 members that use the two pantries. This will enable them to reach even further into their local communities.
