A NEW community larder has been introduced to the people of Camelford.

Trina White, who lives in the town, set up the Camelford food swap page on Facebook in an aim to reduce food waste around the town, as well as providing those who may need some items with the chance to access them for free. This first came about when Trina noticed how many items she had at home that she was unlikely to use, and, hating waste, thought of an idea to swap items with those in the community who might need it — for example, swapping a can of beans for a jar of pasta sauce.

However, she was also very aware of the effect poverty has on some people in the community, and discovered that many were unable to afford some items. With the Camelford food bank being made available to people in the community on Tuesdays, Trina was keen to establish a service that would be available to people at all times.

Therefore she has now been able to open a community larder in the centre of Camelford, with no food vouchers or tickets needed, and allowing people to pop by to take what they need.

The larder is situated at 15 High Street, Camelford, by kind permission of the owner of the property, with the shelves to hold the food items having been recently donated to the cause.

Trina said: “Someone has kindly let us use their property for the larder. It’s accessible at all times — it’s in an alley so stuff can be kept dry. So far there’s been lots of various tinned foods — jars, packets, sanitary items, toiletries, even children’s shoes have been donated!

“We’ve had a brilliant response and it’s lovely as you can see it’s being used. Several people have said that they are struggling and it’s nice they can go up and find something to eat.”

Trina will continue to post about the larder via the Camelford food swap Facebook page. The larder is unmanned, so people are trusted to take what they need while leave enough food for others. She added: “It’s open all the time so people can access it. There’s no one there to watch over them so there is less worry that people will see them as some people don’t like to admit they are struggling.”

Trina checks the food bank once a day to ensure it is stocked up and tidy for people to use. To donate some food items you no longer want or need, join the Camelford food swap page and post a photograph of your item.

The Camelford food bank is open every Tuesday from 2pm until 4pm at St Thomas’ Church, Camelford.