00:00Good food, fair prices for everyone. That's the takeaway from Chatham's new
00:06community shop, where residents from any financial background can pick up
00:11groceries for a fraction of the price.
00:13Now, ordinarily, a full chicken might cost you between four and six pounds depending on where you go,
00:20but if it's big, well look here, this one costs you just two.
00:24It's funded by Medway Council's Crisis and Resilience Fund, which is a government
00:29scheme designed to help those in need. And with almost £250,000 in council backing,
00:36it's hoped it should be able to rely on its own income if the shop is successful.
00:41But crucially, it's not just those on low incomes that can fill the basket.
00:46This is available for everyone. We want to make sure those families are struggling,
00:51those who are working in the town centre, and want to save a bit of money with the shop.
00:57This is open for everybody.
00:58Shelves were stacked with everything from chocolate bars, to pet food,
01:03to cleaning products, to fresh fruit and veg, where you can fill a bag for just a pound.
01:08Those kinds of things are difficult for the food bank to manage, they can't manage them.
01:14And then there's that longer term sustainability for food itself. You'll have heard a lot about
01:19food security actually today. And surplus food can come here and be used properly.
01:26It's operated by Social Enterprise Kent, who are no stranger to running discounted shops like these,
01:32as they've already got stores in Ramsgate and Ashford.
01:36We want this to become a community space, somewhere where people can buy good food at fair prices,
01:42but also access advice and support, find volunteering opportunities,
01:47connect with employment and wellbeing services, or sometimes simply come in for a chat.
01:53And with the ribbon cut, and a plaque unveiled for the late Director of Public Health,
02:05it was time for residents to check out the bumper crop on offer. Megan Shaw at the Pentagon.
02:11We'll see you next time again.
02:11We'll see you next time.
02:12We'll see you next time.
02:13We'll see you next time.
