News It’s a bread and butter thing - new affordable food hub opens at Blackthorn Charity
A low-cost food hub in which residents can get over £35 worth of groceries for £8.50 has opened at Blackthorn Charity.
The new Bread and Butter Thing hub is the fourth of its kind in Maidstone and provides residents with access to affordable, high-quality food. It is designed to help households stretch their budgets while reducing food waste.
The scheme redistributes surplus food from supermarkets, manufacturers and farms that would otherwise go to waste, ensuring good quality produce is made available to local communities at a low cost.
Members can sign up for free and choose to collect food as often as they need. Each week, they can receive bags of fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled items and cupboard essentials for a fraction of the usual supermarket cost.
The new hub at Blackthorn builds on the success of existing locations in Park Wood, Shepway and Trinity, extending the reach of the scheme and supporting more residents across the borough.
Emma Halpin, Chief Executive of Blackthorn Charity, said: “We are really pleased to be working with The Bread and Butter Thing to bring this hub to Blackthorn. We see every day how much people are feeling the pressure from rising costs, and this offers a simple, practical way to help.
“It’s not just about food – when people come here, they can also find out more about the support we offer, from wellbeing activities and skills development to other community services. It’s about giving people a bit of breathing space, helping them feel connected, and making sure support is there when it’s needed.”
The continued success of these hubs follows Maidstone Borough Council backing the rollout of The Bread and Butter Thing through a one-off Cabinet-approved investment in December 2024 to support expansion to additional locations across the borough.
With around an estimated 9.5–10 million tonnes of food wasted each year in the UK, the project not only helps people, but our planet too. By redistributing surplus food, The Bread and Butter Thing helps reduce the amount of edible food sent to landfill.
Operating from trusted community venues, hubs also provide opportunities for people to connect with others and access wider support. Volunteers play a key role in running each session, helping to create a welcoming and supportive environment for local residents.
Cllr David Naghi, Maidstone Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Safety, said: “We know that people are still struggling with the rising cost of living, and it’s shocking to see figures showing that some parents are going hungry and skipping meals so their children can eat.
“I am proud that Maidstone Borough Council is supporting efforts to help and has played a part in rolling out these much-needed hubs. It’s a simple idea that supports local people while also cutting food waste, everyone wins.”
The launch at Blackthorn comes at a time of increased demand for affordable food options, with services like The Bread and Butter Thing playing an important role in supporting communities through ongoing cost of living pressures.
Residents can sign up by texting The Bread and Butter Thing with their details and selecting their local hub, with no commitment to collect every week.
For more information on how to join and details of local collection points, visit the Bread and Butter thing website.