Cost-of-living crisis: Scottish union backs key 'larder' project aimed at helping reduce food bank use

The Good Food Scotland community larders, backed by SNP MP Chris Stephens, help those in Scotland suffering from food insecurity and offer a step between food banks and a return to shopping at major supermarkets, often slashing as much as £20 or £30 off a food shop bill.

This is done by providing fresh, chilled, frozen, long life, and household goods at a low cost, saving 1,500 households tens of thousands of pounds each year.

Larders are already open in six locations in Glasgow, with discussions ongoing about establishing a larder in Midlothian.

GMB Scotland backed the initiative, becoming the first trade union to do so, and will urge its branches to partner with Good Food Scotland and support the growing network.

Louise Gilmour, GMB Scotland secretary, s aid: “There is no more pressing priority during this cost-of-living crisis than easing the impact of poverty and we are proud to back the important, innovative work of Good Food Scotland and join the partnership of organisations working to combat hunger in our communities.”

Chris Stephens, SNP MP for Glasgow South West, who brokered the partnership between the union and Good Food Scotland, said: ‘My constituents are feeling the full effects of the cost-of-living crisis.

"The Larders in Cardonald, Linthouse, and Nitshill have offered a real lifeline, with a Mobile Larder and the Threehills Community Supermarket set to offer additional support later this year.

"Thanks to GMB Scotland, we can continue to expand this work across the country as a part of the strategy to eliminate the need for food banks.’

Andrew Forsey, director of the Feeding Britain charity which runs the Good Food Scotland programme, said he was “enormously grateful” for the support.

He said: “With growing numbers of people in paid work struggling to make ends meet, GMB Scotland has shown real leadership in backing the Larders as a way of easing some of the pressure on household budgets.

"Crucially, each Larder offers choice and dignity while preventing at least some of the need for food banks.”