The Ashton Central Community Grocer launched last week to help make the cost of living more manageable for hundreds of residents.
This innovative project is the first one to open in Ashton and is based at the Holy Trinity Church and Community Centre on Dean Street.
It was set up by Jigsaw’s Neighbourhood Engagement Team in partnership with FareShare, a leading UK food redistribution charity.
Working in collaboration with volunteers from Ashton Pioneer Homes, local residents, and the staff from the Holy Trinity Community Centre, the grocer is set to make a real difference in the lives of the community by providing low cost food while helping to combat food waste.
The grocer will run every Monday from 1pm to 3pm, alongside the Warm Hub, providing residents with a cosy space to socialise, engage in various activities and informative talks, all while staying warm and comfortable.
Minaz Aslam, Jigsaw Homes’ Neighbourhood Engagement Officer said: “Lots of families are suffering hardship, and the cost of living is getting tougher. This initiative of operating a community grocer is a way for residents within the Ashton Central community to shop for their whole family at a fraction of the cost of a supermarket while also saving thousands of tonnes of food being wasted each year.”
This is the fourth community grocer that Jigsaw have helped to set up within the Neighbourhood Plan areas and communities.
It will be open to Jigsaw and Ashton Pioneer Homes tenants, those who are in receipt of Universal Credit, Job Seekers Allowance or pension credit, the community centre service users or parents/carers of children attending Holy Trinity Primary school.
Residents have also been able to attend a weekly soup club at the centre, which runs every Monday (term time only) from 10am-1pm, and teaches the skills to create cheap yet nutritious soup dishes.
The centre also offers a creative writing, drama and dance programme which encourages attendees whose first language is not English, to confidently speak in real life scenarios and help build their vocabulary.
