A local pantry that helps to reduce food waste and make food affordable for families has celebrated its second anniversary.

Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea Local Pantry (HBoS) marked the occasion on January 14.

The project, a collaboration between Burnham Baptist Church and Morland Community Hub, is part of the broader Somerset Local Pantry Network (SLPN).

The network sources surplus food, making it accessible to member families for a small weekly fee - a dual approach to reducing waste and making food affordable.

Over the past two years, Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea Local Pantry has made significant strides, including relocation to Trowbridge Close Community Hub and forging partnerships with Yeo Valley and Morrisons.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News: Team Leaders, Sue and Linda, with Cllr Theo Butt Philip. Sue said that the last two years have been 'wonderful'Team Leaders, Sue and Linda, with Cllr Theo Butt Philip. Sue said that the last two years have been 'wonderful' (Image: Somerset Council)

Sue Williams, HBoS Team Leader, said: "It has been a wonderful two years, working with such great volunteers and getting to know our members, who we know appreciate the food we receive from our food partners."

From an initial membership of just 27 in 2021, Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea Local Pantry now supports 70 households.

Over the last year, the pantry received and redistributed over 8,000kg of food donated from food charity FareShare alone, equal to more than 20,000 meals.

Somerset Local Pantry Network is a partnership between Somerset Council and local community groups, along with food charity FareShare South West.

The council offers an initial grant and assistance when establishing a new pantry, but each pantry is independently run by voluntary sector groups.

For more information, visit www.somerset.gov.uk/localpantry.