Emergency Food
Title image: the Food Stall at St Swithun’s
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 at St Swithun’s
THE FOOD STALL
St Swithun’s Church car park in North Allington
Every Thursday from 9.30am -10.30am.
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.
BRIDPORT FOOD BANK
Mondays 5pm – 7pm at St Mary’s Church
Wednesdays 11am – 1pm at St Mary’s Church
Bridport Food Bank 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.
YOUNG PEOPLE
BRIDPORT YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTRE
The Youth Centre has created raised beds, and the Youth Clubs grow their own vegetables which they could make into pizza toppings on site. The pizza oven can be used by the community. The Centre also runs holiday projects to provide lunches and activities for young people who could be in food deprivation.
Contact: email or telephone 01308 422 500, website.
DISCOVER FARMING
An education programme by the Melplash Agricultural society to help young people to find out more about farming and to enthuse and inspire them to take up careers in agriculture Contact via website or telephone 01308 423337.
DISCOVER FARMING CLASSROOM AT WASHINGPOOL FARM
A dedicated classroom where school children can attend to find out first-hand where their food comes from. Where they can meet the farm animals, see the crops in the fields and enjoy the lovely fresh produce. There is an excellent selection of online home learning activities available for children to do during lockdown. Website.
DORSET FOREST SCHOOL
The forest school ethos is to provide opportunities for children to achieve in the woodland environment, building their self-esteem and co-operation skills. They work with schools and community groups, and have a playgroup at Thorncombe.
Contact: email or telephone 07957 390087, website.
EDIBLE GARDEN AT ST MARY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL AND BRIDPORT PRIMARY SCHOOL
HOME in Bridport partners with Transition Town Bridport and Opera Circus to sustain and develop the Edible Garden to help the children and school, with their families to develop new skills around food shopping, cooking and growing. The project employs part time gardeners, with volunteers, to develop and oversee the garden, events, projects with the National Curriculum and other learning around horticulture, biodiversity and the importance of caring for health and well-being through local organic food. Contact: email, website.
FLAME – Landworkers’ Alliance youth
A new, dynamic grassroots movement for food justice, orchestrated by young people. Contact: email, and on Instagram and Facebook, website.
LOCAL FOOD LINKS
Since 2007 LFL has been making freshly prepared, healthy school meals and supporting local businesses. They have 3 hub kitchens supplying more than 50 schools across Dorset, including several in Bridport. LFL is not-for-profit and is a community-owned social enterprise. Telephone 01308 420269 and website.