At Bassetlaw Food Bank, the mission is to end food poverty. Since 2013, the organisation has run an emergency food parcel service to support families and individuals experiencing food insecurity.
In 2022, demand reached its peak, due to the combined effects of the pandemic and the rising cost of living crisis.
With resources stretched to the limit, it became clear that continuing at the same rate would not be sustainable. One response to increasing demand in rural areas was the creation of the mobile Bassetlaw Community Shop.
Supported by initial funding from Feeding Britain and Bassetlaw District Council, a large van was purchased and fitted with shelving to transport trays of food, toiletries, and cleaning products around the district. Each week, the shop visits ten rural areas, including Rampton, Tuxford, and Beckingham.
Items are offered at discounted prices to help combat rural food deserts, where healthy and affordable food can be difficult to access due to limited local shops or mobility issues. Membership is free and open to all Bassetlaw residents who can attend one of the designated locations.
Originally launched in September 2022 as a short-term solution to rural food access, the project continues due to sustained high demand in the villages.
Since its inception, the project has received support from The National Lottery, Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Nottinghamshire County Council, Retford Lions, Wickes, and the Worshipful Company of Grocers, allowing it to keep running.
Recently, the van has been used in ways the team never anticipated. Following the tragic explosion on John Street in Worksop, 30 households were displaced. With families and individuals facing financial hardship, a member of Nottinghamshire County Council requested emergency food support.
Rather than assembling and delivering 30 food parcels without knowing individuals’ specific needs or their temporary housing arrangements, the team chose to bring the mobile shop directly to Sandy Lane Community Centre. This allowed those affected to select the items they needed most. Over the two weeks following the event, the team made three visits to the centre and supported a number of people with essential supplies. Additional support came from the Red Cross, Bassetlaw District Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, From the Heart Charity, The Lockkeeper, and other organisations.
The Bassetlaw Community Shop has evolved to provide crisis response alongside its original aim of reducing local food poverty. It is thanks to the dedication of supporters, volunteers, local organisations, and funders that hundreds of people have received vital support through the service.