Support for setting up a community pantry to help plug gaps in affordable food provision in Townhill Park, Harefield, and Midanbury is currently being gauged by SO18 Big Local.
Article continues after this message...
The community group says a pantry would be a "safe, affordable market place" that would operate as a membership scheme. Residents might pay a weekly subscription of around £5, allowing them to take away food up to the value of around £15, so they'd get more for their money, and it would help reduce food waste from supermarkets.
A survey is currently running to find out what residents think about the idea - with 10 chances to win a £20 Sainsbury's voucher as an incentive to take part.
"What we do at SO18 is obviously resident-led, so their input is quite valuable," said project worker Michelle Rogers.
The group says that while there's currently increased awareness about school and holiday food provision, highlighted by celebrities such as Marcus Rashford, it's also people without children who may find it difficult to afford good food.
"The food pantry [membership] model seems to work quite well because what I've found in my research is that people who need support ... are quite resistant to get free food and free 'handouts'.
"It's kind of that pride element," said Michelle, who stressed that the service wouldn't be 'competing' with various other services like foodbanks already operating nearby.
If you live in the SO18 Big Local area, you can share your thoughts about the community pantry idea via their survey from this link.