Low income families across Tameside are benefiting from the expansion of an innovative low cost food service which is now opening in Droylsden.

Esteemed charity The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT) is continuing to work in partnership with Tameside Council and local voluntary organisations on the service, which aims to help tackle poverty while also reducing food waste by distributing surplus food at a heavily reduced price.

Following the success of previous food hubs in Tameside, TBBT has launched a new hub at St Martin’s Church, Droylsden. This new hub follows the existing sites in Haughton Green, Stalybridge, Hattersley and Ashton.

For only £7.50 members receive approximately £35 worth of quality fresh food and store cupboard staples, including fresh fruit and veg. This means even on a tight budget, families can have access to nutritious and quality food. TBBT’s service enables parents to feed their families healthily and improves diet diversity by providing foods they may not normally have access to.

The bread and butter thingTBBT works with food businesses across the industry to assist them in redistributing surplus food. The food supplied to TBBT would otherwise be wasted. This partnership benefits the environment and also has an increasingly positive impact in communities.

TBBT supports other vital local work including providing experts in debt counselling, housing advice, grant applications and mental health support.

Tameside Council continues to commission the charity to run the Tameside food hubs using external DEFRA funding.

Executive member responsible for public health Cllr Eleanor Wills said:

‘’This scheme continues to make a difference to the lives of individuals and families in Tameside, making their tight budgets stretch further. The scheme gives them opportunities to try a variety of fresh and healthy foods at an affordable price. Not only do low income families benefit from TBBT food hubs, but surplus food continues to be used and not wasted- food which is still completely safe to eat.

Its fantastic news to see the expansion of the food hubs into other neighbourhoods in Tameside – it shows just how much of a difference it is making to our residents’ lives. I would like to thank the dedicated volunteers for their support, which makes this project a continuing success. The volunteers hard work makes a huge difference to people’s lives.’’

Joining is simple. There are no joining criteria. People interested in using TBBT’s affordable food service need to register as members and should contact TBBT by email at hello@breadandbutterthing.org or text 07860 063304. There is also a sign up form and more information at www.breadandbutterthing.org/contact. Once registered, members receive a weekly text offering the food service. The first week is free.

The service is reliant on the dedication and enthusiasm of its volunteers, with over 300 people giving their time each week to the charity which won the Queen’s Award to Voluntary Service last year. Anyone interested in volunteering – at the new hubs, the Trafford warehouse or as a driver – can find out more and get in touch through TBBT’s website www.breadandbutterthing.org.

TBBT food hubs can be found at the following locations in Tameside throughout the week:

Monday: St Martin’s Church, St Martin’s Close, Droylsden, M43 7QS

Tuesday: Haughton Green Community ,Centre, M34 7PH

Wednesday: West End, St Peter’s Church, OL7 0SA

Thursday: Ridge Hill Big Local Hub, 4 Ambleside, Ridge Hill, SK15 1EB

Friday: Zest, St Barnabas Church, SK14 3EQ

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