The Nest community store opens in Weymouth

The new store is open at The Nest for people with limited disposable income and has been launched by the people who offered free school meals over the half term holiday. Unlimited bread and vegetables are available.

Weymouth town Councillor Alex Fuhrmann, a teacher at Beechcroft School, was heavily involved in the free school meals project in October and he is thrilled to bring his knowledge to the store.

He said: "Doing the free school meals scheme gave me the stark realisation that there is so much food poverty within working people. "It is people that are locked into tenancy agreements or defaulting on mortgage payments - people who are trying their best, working in minimum wage jobs but the system is not giving them enough.

"The community store has been set up to help people with limited or no disposable income to try and help them manage their food bill and cut them a bit of slack if they are in a position where they have to choose between paying for their heating and paying for their food.

"This is not just for people who are on benefits, this if for anyone who is finding it tough to pay their bills at the moment."

The community store stocks food and toiletries, all of which have been donated from FareShare, a charity network aimed at relieving food poverty and reducing food waste.

Anyone wishing to access the foodbank must become a member which is free to do and can be done on The Nest Facebook page. No proof of financial hardship is required.

After membership has been secured, it costs £3.50 to get 10 items from the shop, or £5 to get 15 items. Members can visit the store weekly and volunteer staff will be on hand to offer advice on nutrition.

Bread and vegetables are freely available to members and not included in the number of items.

The store is open from 10am to 2pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

For more information, visit The Nest Facebook page.