Creating a Culture of Kindness
by Rachael Rowe
“I’m so glad we pushed ahead with this project. It has meant that people can have a decent meal.” Karen Rhys, Project Manager. A giant catering jar of mixed pickle catches my eye as I walk into Vale Pantry in Sturminster Newton to see how it works. “We get all sort of things delivered,” smiles Karen Rhys the project manager from behind an obligatory mask. Today the shelves are laden with basics from pasta to chicken, frozen fish and fresh fruit but the preparation begins the day before when deliveries arrive. Karen explained: ”The delivery from Fareshare arrives each Wednesday and it’s like a giant jumble sale as the supplies are unloaded. We also Fruit and Vegetables are free and unlimited to all Vale Pantry members
Cllr Carole Jones & Karen Rhys in the Vale Pantry
get surplus items from local suppliers so it all avoids food waste.” Vale Pantry is part of the Your Local Pantry network and is the UK's first rural one. In the first three weeks of opening, 131 members have signed up, and as I wait to talk to the team another enquiry comes in.
differs from a food bank in that it allows a person to select what they want instead of being given a free box of items, and is more like a shopping experience. The pantry is open twice a week on Thursday and Saturday. There has been tremendous support locally from farmers, volunteers, business owners, and shops donating items.
There are 91 Local businessman John Romans families, and 225 and Spears Travel Centre have children; the Pantry allowed them to have the shop free until March. The pantry estimates they are rent even has someone who writes helping around 450 simple recipes. people in North Donations vary from Dorset. local businesses A member pays £4.50 a week dropping off surplus which allows them to select a bread, fruit and number of items from the shelves, working out at an vegetables to a farmer approximate value of £15-20. who made a batch of I notice the fruit and vegetables are free. There gooseberry jam. But are even items for people the kindness extends with food intolerances. It further than that. 6
