The community facility, based in the John Pounds Centre, Portsea, is offering groceries for a nominal fee to families looking to fill their fridges and food cupboards.
For a weekly subscription of £4, members of the pantry are able to purchase a weekly food shop including fresh fruit and vegetables, tasty treats, frozen, chilled and tinned goods and more.
The scheme is a joint initiative between the Portsea Action Group and the John Pounds Centre, which has been supported by HIVE Portsmouth, Southern Co-op, VIVID Plus, and the Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Partnership. The pantry is based in the library space of John Pounds, courtesy of Portsmouth City Council.
The first visitors were welcomed through the doors on Tuesday 16 August.
Brenda Tregarthen, Chair of Portsea Action Group said: “Pantries can offer food for a fraction of supermarket prices and shoppers have choice over their purchases. It also helps with food waste.
“So far the response from the community has been very positive. We’re grateful to all of the organisations who have helped us along the way, including the League of Friends.
“We’re always looking for more volunteers to step forward and would also like to hear from any individual or organisation who would like to donate food.”
Portsea Pantry is a membership scheme open to any residents living in PO1 3.
Membership is free and requires proof of address.
For more information, visit Portsea Pantry | John Pounds Centre
