Kent Community Pantry has opened a new outlet on Sheppey where families can buy their weekly shopping for under a tenner.

More than 50 Islanders have already signed up to the scheme which is free until April. It will then cost £3.50 for single members and £7 for families.

The money pays for a tray of 10 or 20 long-life products such as breakfast cereals, pasta and cans of vegetables but each week it is topped up with fresh food such as meat, fruit and dairy products from FareShare.

Gaynor O'Sullivan, who is managing Kent Community Pantry's second outlet at Seashells children and families centre in Rose Street, Sheerness, said: "Members really love it. Some have been using food banks but this allows them to pay their own way while at the same time saving a huge amount on a weekly shop. And it is open to all Islanders regardless of age or income."

Cllr Angela Harrison, Swale council's cabinet member for health and wellbeing and ward councillor for Sheerness, said: "This is really a great idea. Not everyone fits into the category of using a food bank and they may not have the funds to shop at a supermarket.

"This is a fantastic scheme which fits between the two and helps those living on a knife-edge through no fault of their own. I can't praise it enough."

The concept was pioneered in Ashford by the Children and Families charity which runs Seashells. Chief executive officer Jim Duncan said: "It is a new service which aims to make a difference to people's lives and help empower them. We offer good quality, healthy and nutritious food through a low-cost weekly membership scheme."

The Seashells centre is managed by husband-and-wife team Ian and Kate Townsend-Blazier.

Ian said: "The project is for the whole of the community. Anyone can sign up for it which helps remove the stigma and embarrassment some people feel when using a food bank.

"A weekly shop like this would cost about £30 to £40 at a supermarket. And unlike a foodbank, which usually provides ambient (tinned and long-life) products, this is topped up with fresh fruit and vegetables and sometimes meat depending on what we can get so it is more nutritious.

"It also helps with people's wellbeing. They can meet others, socially distanced, when they collect their food and have a bit of a chat."

Sessions are on Wednesdays from 11am to 12.30pm. New members can sign up on the day. To join or volunteer call 01795 889233 or email kcp@children-families.org

There is also a website at www.kentcommunitypantry.org and a Facebook page called KCPSeashells

Read more: All the latest news from Sheppey