Bridport Food Matters

The pandemic means that more households find 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 pandemic sadly has meant people who would not normally use the services provided by local food banks and community groups are coming forward.  To ensure that the everyone in the Town and surrounding area are aware of all the services available and how to access them, the Bridport Local Food Group has published the following list:

The Food Stall at St Swithun’s

THE FOOD STALL (formerly known as the Garden Glut stall) is in the St Swithun’s Church car park in North Allington every Thursday from 9.30am-11 a.m. It supplies for free (or donation) surplus food plus 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. More details from the Chapel in the Garden or Bridport Local Food Group website www.bridportfoodfestival.co.uk  or contact Peter via email or 07778 159826.

BRIDPORT LOCAL FOOD GROUP has published this booklet, Cheap Cheerful Achievable Recipes to Feed Body and Mind – available from the St Swithun’s food stall on a Thursday morning and the Tourist Information Centre’s online shop: Bridport Food Matters Recipe Book – Bridport & West Bay. Recipes by Rachel Millson, images by Imi Neylan, with additional information by Anna Vogel.

CUPBOARD LOVE at St Mary’s Church, South Street, is the Town’s main food bank.  Access to Cupboard Love is via referral from various sources including Citizen Advice (CAB), Job Centre and Doctors.   No one will ever be turned away but will be asked to get a referral for any future visits.  It is open on Wednesday mornings 11am-1pm for collection of food parcels.    In certain circumstances home delivery is available.   Out of hours, messages can be left on 07443 596096 – messages will be checked and actioned on Wednesday mornings. Click here to email.

BRIDPORT COMMUNITY FRIDGE operates from the Chapel in the Garden on East Street and is currently open on Tuesdays and Saturdays 10-11.30am. It is also at St Swithun’s on Thursdays 9.30-11.00am.  Surplus food is supplied from local supermarkets and other places.  Anyone can come and help themselves as the aim is both to help the needy and reduce food waste. More details are on their Facebook page or call 01308 422448.  Click here to email.

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   Open to everyone who is in need or struggling. Happy to be contacted at any time.  Offer bespoke food parcels when needed.  Every Monday at 1 pm offer a cooked meal.  Contact Lindsay Goodrich 01308 281829. Click here to email.

COMMUNITY SOUP KITCHEN  Beacon Church, Priory Lane, Bridport DT6 3RW  Tel: 01308 456931.  Click here to email. Open to anyone who needs a hot meal. Provide hot fresh soups and meals.   They are open Wednesdays and Fridays from 12 noon-2.30 pm.  Takeaway and delivery. No charge.

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 Support Volunteer Support: 07401 243585, and Dorset Council: 01305 221000. These can help with collecting shopping and prescriptions.

In an emergency, phone the Bridport Town Council, CAB during office hours or Bridport Community Support on 07401 243585 at all other times.