Kilwinning's Cranberry Moss Community Larder opens for residents

The council’s latest community pantry will include fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, tinned goods and personal hygiene products.

North Ayrshire Council has been supporting community organisations as they co-produce a North Ayrshire community food network known as North Ayrshire Fairer Food, following on from the initial coronavirus lockdown.

Cranberry’s Community Larder in Kilwinning was launched in partnership with North Ayrshire Council following the successful launch of Ardrossan’s Quaint Larder and the Woodwynd Wee Shoap.

These facilities work on a membership basis and provide a mini supermarket-like environment where residents have the opportunity to choose their own food.

This is a more dignified approach to food insecurity and helps make their money go further by giving them access to good food at a lower cost.

CRANBERRY COMMUNITY LARDER

A spokesperson for Pennyburn Community Association, said: “We’ve been working hard here at Cranberry Moss Community Centre to get the new Cranberry’s Community Larder set up.

“Our goal is to provide an accessible and affordable source of food to anyone in the areas who needs it.

“The larder will be run by our community, for our community and I know that it will be a great resource to families and individuals in the area.”

Families visiting Cranberry’s Community Larder will be asked to pay a membership fee of £3 per visit for families of up to four and in return, can select a choice of food, including fresh produce, up to the value of £20.

Unlike a food bank, the pantry is not emergency food provision, and no referral is required to access the community larder. Membership is open to everyone within the catchment areas and all that is needed to join the scheme is a letter to confirm your name and address.

Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, the shop is currently operating on an appointment-only basis. To make an appointment call 07534 906 011or email cranberryslarder@gmail.com.