Community Supermarket Opens Doors in Kent Shopping Centre

A new community supermarket, the SEK Community Food Shop, has opened on the first floor of The Pentagon Centre in Chatham, Kent, offering budget-friendly groceries and additional support services. The store is open to everyone and aims to assist individuals facing food insecurity while also providing help with employment, budgeting, and access to other local services.

Initial funding for the supermarket was provided by Medway Council through its Crisis and Resilience Fund. Shoppers can enter the store without prior booking to find a range of affordable food items, including a £1 fruit and vegetable bag. The store lowers costs by redistributing surplus food, which also helps reduce waste and protect the environment.

SEK Community Food Shop currently operates two other similar stores in Kent, in Ramsgate and Ashford. In the past year, these two shops recorded over 55,500 transactions and diverted approximately 170 tonnes of food from waste. Gina English from SEK highlighted the success of these existing locations, stating that the model has proven effective.

Shoppers have responded positively to the new store. Shirley Graves and her partner Rod Taffs, among the first to visit, expressed satisfaction with the prices and quality, citing a box of 20 samosas for £1.50 and a large bag of chicken for £6 as examples of the bargains available. They noted that these purchases would provide several meals for them.

Medway Council leader Vince Maple commented on the initiative, emphasizing the dual benefit of reducing food waste and providing affordable, quality food for families, particularly those with lower incomes. He stated that making good food accessible at reasonable prices is beneficial for the entire community.

The SEK Community Food Shop also features a private office pod where customers can receive confidential advice and guidance. The supermarket is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.