A ‘pay what you can afford’ pop-up food market is appealing for additional support after a successful launch in September 2024.
The market at Westfield Community Centre, Westfield, runs on alternate Thursdays from 1:30pm to 3:30pm and asks for a minimum £1 donation in exchange for at least four items, but shoppers can donate more at will.
Cash and card payments are accepted and the market asks its users to bring their own bags to support its renewable ethos. A range of fresh fruit, vegetables, cereals, bread and frozen meals are sold.
With an emphasis on greener living, the market is ran and supported by Food Works Sheffield – a non-profit organisation aiming to produce and use food more sustainably.
A team of volunteer drivers support in sourcing and distributing the surplus food from supermarkets which may have otherwise gone to waste.
The organisation, which is based at Portland Business Park, run a market directly from their warehouse as well as their ‘pop-up’ stores in locations such as Darnall and Westfield.
Linda, who is a volunteer at the pop-up market, told ShefLive that they experience around 40 to 50 visitors to the market every fortnight, with hundreds per day at their warehouse in Handsworth. She also spoke of the importance of her role.
She said: “We’re helping the community and that’s the biggest thing really. A lot of people are struggling at the moment. If we can bring hubs like this to communities, it’s a bonus.
“The surplus food is not going to landfill and people enjoy coming and getting a bargain!”
Linda also said she would support more openings of food markets around the City.
She said: “We need to have them all over. If we can get them in schools and community centres it would be a big help.
“That’s what the community want. All this food is going to waste. It’s costing a lot of money, let the community have it.”
A representative from Likewise was also present at the market, supporting recovering drug and alcohol addicts. The Community Centre also host wellbeing walks and host information hubs for local residents to comment on local issues and seek advice from employment coaches.
More information about these events can be found on Westfield Community Centre’s Facebook Page.
