“Dignified access to food in rural communities.”

This Challenge Poverty Week (CPW), our team at CVS Falkirk is highlighting the efforts of our local third sector and communities in tackling poverty across the Falkirk District.

CPW Background and Themes

Challenge Poverty Week was launched by the Poverty Alliance in 2013, as a way to draw attention to the injustice of poverty in Scotland, and show that collective action, based on justice and compassion, can create solutions. For the campaign’s 10th year, the Poverty Alliance has announced different themes for each day of the campaign week, which we believe offer the perfect opportunity to spotlight the efforts of the third sector:

Monday 2^nd October: Communities & Volunteers
Tuesday 3^rd October: Housing
Wednesday 4^th October: Adequate Incomes
Thursday 5^th October: Transport
Friday 6^th October: Food
Saturday 7^th October and Sunday 8^th October: Reflection

Friday 6^th October: Food

Today’s theme looks at Food, including food provision and affordability; CPW aims to help create a Scotland where no one goes hungry.

Sadly, in recent years, use of foodbanks and food pantries has increased exponentially – and this has been exacerbated by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis.

Today’s featured group, Martha’s Pantry in Slamannan, is one of the newer volunteer groups in Falkirk District who works to help people in the rural Braes villages of Limerigg and Slamannan access healthy food in a dignified, affordable way.

Our team at CVS Falkirk includes a dedicated Community Development Officer for Limerigg and Slamannan, supported by Foundation Scotland. After the Development Officer met with local groups and community leaders from both areas, it was established that there was a need for the community to have access to some type of additional and affordable food provision.

Community members came together to formalise their aspirations through the creation of a group constitution, supported by our team. From there, a local venue and funding was secured, training for volunteers completed, and a date set for the launch of Martha’s Pantry, offering a local and dignified food pantry service.

The pantry model differs from foodbanks in that memberships are open to everyone in the community, no matter their circumstances or need; this ties in with Scottish Government’s goal of a human rights based approach to food access.

Martha’s Pantry launched in December 2022, in time for the school holidays, and has been supporting their communities since, with national recognition in Scottish Parliament.

For further information on Martha’s Pantry, please visit their Facebook page, or contact them by email: marthaspantryFK1@gmail.com