Bridport Food Matters

Many households are finding it hard to afford the food they need. Bridport Local Food Group has published a list of the local food access initiatives, including when they are open and how to contact them:

THE FOOD STALL
St Swithun’s Church car park in North Allington
Every Thursday from 9.30am -11am.

It supplies for free (or donation) surplus food and fresh produce from local growers, including ready meals, as well as surpluses from supermarkets.  This is open to everyone, all are welcome. The initiative is jointly run by the Bridport Local Food Group, Transition Town Bridport and the Community Fridge. For more information contact Peter via email or 07778 159826.

CUPBOARD LOVE
Mondays 5pm – 7pm at Bridport Youth & Community Centre (BYCC)
Wednesdays 11am – 1pm at St Mary’s Church

Cupboard Love is the Town’s main food bank.  No one will ever be turned away but will be asked to get a referral for any future visits from various sources including Citizen Advice (CAB), Job Centre and Doctors.  In certain circumstances home delivery is available.  Call Sonia on 07443 596096 she works on Mondays and Wednesdays but messages can be left and they will be checked and actioned. Click here to email.

BRIDPORT COMMUNITY FRIDGE
Chapel in the Garden on East Street
Saturdays 10am – 11am

Surplus food is supplied from local supermarkets and other places.  Anyone can come and help themselves as the aim is both to help and reduce food waste. More details are on their Facebook page or call 01308 422448.  Click here to email.

COMMUNITY SOUP KITCHEN 
Beacon Church, Priory Lane, Bridport DT6 3RW. 
Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11am – 2pm

Open to anyone who needs a hot meal in a warm, safe space, with crafts and knitting on Thursdays for those who wish to join in. Visit the website for more information.

HOPEFUL HAMPERS
Provides emergency bags of tinned/dried and fresh food to families in urgent need of food via referrals from recognised agencies (CAB, NHS etc) and can deliver where necessary.  In addition, they also supply organisations such as CAB, primary schools, housing associations, nurseries with bags of dried and tinned food which can be given out to anyone in need.

BRIDPORT CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
4-5 Kings Square, East Street, DT6 3QE 
Mondays at 1pm 

A cooked meal is available to everyone who is in need or struggling. Happy to be contacted at any time.  Offer bespoke food parcels when needed. Contact Lindsay Goodrich 01308 281829. Click here to email.

DORSET COUNCIL WASTE TEAM
Download Dorset Council’s guide: Reduce your food waste, help combat climate change and save money!

OTHER CONTACTS
Bridport Town Council: 01308 456722, Bridport Citizen Advice (CAB): 0800 1448848, Bridport Community and Dorset Council: 01305 221000. These can help with collecting shopping and prescriptions.

In an emergency, phone the Bridport Town Council or CAB during office hours.