A FUNDRAISER has been launched to save a resident-run social food shop in Chester.
Lache Larder is a social supermarket that collects surplus, perfectly edible in-date food from local supermarkets and sells it on at minimal cost to local residents, all from a purpose built shop in the centre of the neighbourhood.
Not only does this mean food is diverted from landfill, it also means food becomes considerably more affordable. The shop, which has been open for the last five years, currently caters for around 40 people and has become vital for people struggling with cost of living crisis.
Open two afternoons a week, the shop, situated on Cliveden Road in Lache, sells a bundle of various food items for £4 which would cost in excess of £25 at a high street supermarket. Anyone is welcome to purchase food from Lache Larder, regardless of income.
Run entirely by a friendly team of volunteers, any leftovers that are past their best are donated to local bird and donkey sanctuaries, meaning no food waste.
However, Lache Larder is under threat of closure due to spiralling bills and the fact its van used to pick up its supplies is currently off road.
The shop's volunteers have therefore launched a GoFundMe page in the hope of raising at least £10,000 by August to keep it open. The funds would also go towards helping fix the van. The page can be accessed via https://bit.ly/3PWURIK.
Katie Owen, a volunteer at Lache Larder, said: "It is so important we stay open for the customers, local people and especially our retired volunteers.
"As well supporting the sanctuaries, we have a clothes collection point which are swapped for cash to help support Lache Balmoral Morris Dancing group as they don’t have their own hall.
"The closure would have a huge knock on effect on all that use us twice weekly. We get new people all the time, we have supported local families through the whole of Covid doing deliveries, and also helped families fleeing from the war in Ukraine. We also have about 10 elderly people who sometimes just want to come in and chat."
The shop recently was given a five star rating food hygiene rating and is looking to open up as a cafe for coffee and cake mornings.
Katie added: "It’s not just a social food waste warriors place, it’s also where people find they can pop in and have a chat as we no longer have a cafe or community centre nearby.
"Since the cost of living crisis, we are supporting more people than ever. They rely on us."
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