
How a Community Grocery Brings Hope
Lincoln Community Grocery stocks good food that would have gone to waste and makes it available for members for just £3 per shop. For that, they can fill their basket with fresh fruit and veg, pantry items, chilled and frozen food and toiletries.

It’s been 4 weeks since we launched Lincoln Community Grocery as a partnership between Act Trust, Alive Church, The Message Trust, and Lincoln Central Methodist Church. In that time we’ve had an overwhelming response from local people who have described it as a place to find Hope.
“I have social anxiety, but here; this place means Hope to me.”
Anon
We anticipated that over the course of the year we might attract around 200 members, but in fact, within four weeks we had topped 500.
“People join for various reasons, for many it’s the ability to be able to afford good, fresh food for their families when they don’t have enough income. For some, it’s the chance to shop ‘green’; filling their basket with good food that would have otherwise gone to waste,” says Simon Hawking, CEO of Acts Trust.
There is no strict criteria for joining as a member: if you feel like you need to find some hope in a place like this, then you are welcome.
“The truth is that many people, regardless of their background or circumstances, may find themselves benefiting from shopping in a place like Lincoln Community Grocery,” added Simon. “From my years working as a debt coach, I realised that it’s not always those on the lowest income that need support. Many families with working parents are still struggling to put enough good food on the table.”
When the £20 per week top up ended, some people said, it’s not much, but to me, that’s a fifth of my income. It’s amazing here, I can get so much fresh food for the kids, I can make up soups that last several meals. My partner has always wanted to bake a cake, and now I can pick up a few of the ingredients every time I come and soon she’ll have what she needs.”
ANON

How does it work?
Membership costs £5 for the year. Members can then shop up to three times a week, choosing a selection of items from the various sections in the grocery, for just £3.
Some specific items can be additionally purchased, typically at a third of the price in a supermarket.
To become a member you can simply turn up at the Grocery, where the team can help get your registered, as well as seeing what additional support you might need.
Opening Times
Monday 9:30am – 4:30pm
Tuesday 9:30am – 4:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am – 4:30pm
Thursday 9:30am – 4:30pm
Friday 9:30am – 4:30pm
Where to find us
Central Methodist Church
123 High Street
Lincoln
LN5 7PR