Sarah Dunwell, Leeds Enterprise Ambassador opens the UK's first 'Social Supermarket'

Monday 9th December saw the UK's first 'Social Supermarket' open in Goldthorpe, Barnsley, selling low cost food to people of the verge of food poverty.

The food sold at Community Shop are good quality, branded goods that are in date but comes from surpluses arising from packaging faults, overstocking and seasonal produce, project leader Sarah Dunwell said.

"All of this is wholesome, it's in date, it's fit for purpose, but for some reason was not going to make it on to the shelves of a supermarket," she said. "We think that's wrong. We think that people who are really struggling to stretch their household budget should be able to access this food."

The Community Shop works as a membership card scheme being issued to low income households. If the pilot project is successful in Goldthorpe, more Community Shops will be rolled out across the country next year.

Read the press coverage available on BBC News: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-25297504

Watch the news item on Sky News: http://news.sky.com/story/1179822/social-supermarket-opens-to-benefit-claimants

Sarah Dunwell is one of Leeds Enterprise Centre's Ambassadors, working with us and Leeds students throughout the year. Find out more about our Enterprise Ambassadors