Maldon and District Community Voluntary Service are launching a trial of a new social supermarket initiative designed to offer more affordable food to those in need.

Maldon Social Supermarket will offer local residents an opportunity to carry out a weekly shop for a fraction of the price of commercial supermarkets. 

Following the success of similar projects in other parts of Essex including Chelmsford and Colchester, Maldon and District CVS have been working alongside Essex County Council and Maldon District Council to develop a social supermarket in the Maldon District.

The social supermarket aims to offer a similar aid to food banks, but instead offers a wider range of food while charging a significantly lower cost than in commercial supermarkets.

The number of people using food banks have soared in recent years as food prices rose to a 40-year high, alongside increasing energy bills and fuel costs.

Pilot sessions for the scheme will go ahead in September.

The pilot sessions, run by Maldon and District CVS, will allow the community to visit the supermarket, see what's on offer and pick up their weekly shop.

Prices at the social supermarket will start at just £5 for up to twelve items.

 The pilot sessions will be held in the foyer of the Maldon District Council Offices on Princes road on the below dates:

September 12: 10:30-12:00

September 17: 1:30- 15:00

September 24: 10:30-12:00

Anyone who is interested in finding out more is welcome to come along for an affordable shop, free refreshments and an opportunity to leave feedback and ideas, to help shape the future of the Mobile Social Supermarket in the Maldon and District area.

Funding from the Community Supermarket Initiative and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has been secured to help set up and run a mobile community supermarket across the District.