North Yorkshire primary school launches community food pantry
It aims to educate and offer pupils and wider community affordable and healthy options
A primary school in North Yorkshire has opened a new food pantry to help educate pupils and the wider community about sustainable and healthy eating.
Greatwood Community Primary School and Nursery in Skipton has teamed up with North Yorkshire Council to open the pantry, offering affordable food to support the community during the cost of living crisis.
Headteacher Jonelle Yeoman dreamt of the idea during the pandemic and says the pantry helps the school give back to the area.
Jonelle said: "Our school is at the heart of our community but we also wrap our arms around the community.
"During the pandemic, we were making food parcels and sending them out to families.
"When we recognised the cost of living crisis, we wanted to help those who were struggling.
"We need to make sure this isn't about being a foodbank. It's about educating families about meals. Educating the children about how they can grow their own fruit and vegetables and teaching our children about healthy recipes so they can grow up to make meals for themselves."
Greatwood Grocery is open to all members of the community, and is supported by charities FareShare and the Craven Food Partnership which operate in North Yorkshire.
It's part of a green sustainability plan the school has in place to help reduce food waste.
Pupils can learn how to grow food in the on-site allotments and learn how to care for animals with the chickens and ducks.
"Now we've been running for around twelve weeks, we're starting to know what our community wants." Jonelle continued.
"We want people to know that the grocery is not just for our families. It's for absolutely everybody.
"People can come in to the building away from the main school, have a coffee, come in for a quick chat and use the pantry service. The idea is that you can pick up ten items for £5. That could be milk, bread, fruit and veg.
"Anyone in the community can come and use it. It's open every Tuesday and is run by our incredible volunteers. Without them none of this would have been possible."
Alongside Greatwood, Glasburn Community Primary School is also working closely with North Yorkshire Council’s Healthy Schools Team as part of a pilot programme.
This aims to provide sustainable and affordable food supplies to help the increasing number of families facing financial pressures.
North Yorkshire Council’s director of public health, Louise Wallace, said: “It’s a real boost to see the school pantries supporting families with sustainable and affordable food.
"Thank you to the staff, pupils, volunteers and to the kind people who have donated.”