The Exchange are now operating a community pantry in Buncrana
This wonderful initiative moves away from food handouts to tackling the huge problem of food waste
The Exchange opened their own Food Pantry in Buncrana which is in partnership with the Clonmany Community Pantry.
The Exchange was set up as a food bank in 2020, however after seeing how successful the Clonmany Community Pantry was they began to transition into a community food pantry this year with the help of them.
Earlier this year they began transferring all their members from the food bank over to the new pantry. They have now opened membership to the general public.
"This is a pilot scheme" said Ruth Garvey Williams a member of The Exchange team.
"If Buncrana is successful it might lead to more community pantries opening up across Inishowen which will help tackle food waste."
This wonderful initiative moves away from food handouts to tackling the huge problem of food waste.
The Exchange registered with Food Cloud and began collecting and re-distributing surplus food from local supermarkets.
Food Cloud connects them with local retailers with surplus food to ensure no good food goes to waste.
With the huge growth and development of Clonmany's hugely successful Community Pantry and with rising demand on our food bank making it unsustainable, The Exchange decided to transition to a Food Pantry in May 2024.
The difference between a food bank and a food pantry is that it enables them to tackle the problem of food waste while making high-quality, brand-named products available to the whole community at a low cost.
Everyone is welcome to become a member for the year for €20. This entitles you to a Buncrana Community Pantry canvas bag and free access to the food pantry. Before you do your shopping you can call in and fill your bag with everything you need for just €5.
Buncrana Community Pantry is open three times a week from 11am to 1pm and is regularly re-stocked with donations from Food Cloud with the wonderful support from the Clonmany Pantry.