Sat, 30 Aug 2025

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 Social supermarket an alternative to food banks

The supermarket supplies fresh fruit, vegetables and meat to anyone struggling to make ends meet.
A charity that runs social supermarkets in Southampton, offering discounted fresh produce and essentials, has reported a significant increase in demand from struggling families. The Big Difference's two shops are stocked with donated goods from commercial supermarkets and Fareshare, a food poverty charity. According to its CEO, Sanjay Mall, the organization has seen a growing number of parents forced to skip meals themselves so their children can eat. Mall said that unlike traditional food banks, The Big Difference's supermarkets are open to anyone in need, without requiring a referral. "Many families are struggling to make ends meet, and we're seeing more and more people coming through our doors," he explained. A 2024 study by the University of Southampton found that nearly 40% of residents had experienced food poverty, with emergency food provision at its highest level in over a decade. The charity's shops also stock toys and clothing, and unsold items are donated to local nurseries to support families. A manager of the shops, Becky Lampard, described the impact of their work: "We've seen people who have been forced to choose between paying bills or feeding themselves." The Big Difference relies on a team of around 30 volunteers to keep its supermarkets running, and has reported that without them, the organization would not be able to function.
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