A community project is hoping the stigma around using its support disappears as it looks ahead to its second year in Dereham.

The Food Cabin, a community project kickstarted by Wellspring Family Centre last January, offers people fresh, frozen and non-perishable food at subsidised prices to families struggling to make ends meet.

 Based by Mid Norfolk Foodbank’s Dereham distribution centre, the supermarket had seen 160 households sign up within its first 12 months of operating.

Dereham Times: Dereham Wellspring Family Centre opened ‘The Food Cabin’, a new community supermarket, in 2023Dereham Wellspring Family Centre opened ‘The Food Cabin’, a new community supermarket, in 2023 (Image: Breckland Council)

Jayne Olley, the coordinator of The Food Cabin, said: “It felt quite slow to start as we were finding our feet, but as the year has gone on relationships have grown and this flow of trust has been established and now people know what to expect when they come in.

“There is more openness with the members, when they first came in they were closed off, they’d get their shopping and go, now people are more able to talk, which is the biggest plus for us.”

The Food Cabin runs on a membership basis, with users able to sign up and purchase items with a discount of around 30pc - with members having to be based in Dereham.

Dereham Times: The Food Cabin was officially opened by Hugh King, Mayor of Dereham (centre) Alison Webb, Executive Member for Health & Communities at Breckland Council (right), Claire Cullen, Chief Executive from the Norfolk Community Foundation and Toby RouseThe Food Cabin was officially opened by Hugh King, Mayor of Dereham (centre) Alison Webb, Executive Member for Health & Communities at Breckland Council (right), Claire Cullen, Chief Executive from the Norfolk Community Foundation and Toby Rouse (Image: Breckland Council)

It has been running out of purpose-built premises beside the Wellspring Centre on Neatherd Road.

The Food Cabin is aimed at those who do not meet the emergency criteria of the food bank.

In addition to offering food, the facility signposts people to other services where they can access mental health support or budgeting advice.

Toby Rouse, the project manager, added: “We are in the community for everyone and we want to support everyone. We do not want there to be a stigma around accessing support.

“We also don’t want anyone to disqualify themselves, if you would like the support it is here."

The pair said that over the next 12 months, they hope to support more people, look to partner with more suppliers and businesses and lower the basket cost.