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Council Leader visits larder for Challenge Poverty Week
People using larders across North Ayrshire have shared their stories of communities coming together to support each other - as the Council backs Challenge Poverty Week 2025.
The week-long drive focusses on poverty and what we can do to help make life better for people who are struggling to make ends meet.
Arranged by the Poverty Alliance charity, the week inspires communities to work together, support each other and find new ways to change attitudes. This is the tenth consecutive year the Council has proudly shown its support.
Earlier today (7 October) Council Leader Marie Burns visited The Village Larder and garden in West Kilbride, which is run by the Community Roots charity, to meet the team of staff and volunteers and find out more about the great work they do.
North Ayrshire Council’s Fairer Food network comprises 16 food larders, which are run alongside various partner organisations. In a one-year period, combined, they have more than 28,000 visits from people in need of support.
Larders help people in low-income households to top up their weekly shop and get some additional groceries and support if they receive an unexpected household cost or bill.
Some also operate a community food exchange that sees surplus food being collected from local supermarkets to share with residents.
One member, who has been using Ardeer Larder since it opened, said: “The people who run it are great. Everything is more affordable as I couldn’t afford to go to a supermarket every week.”
Another person using Dalry Larder commented: "I recently found out about the larder. I was embarrassed at first. I got a food bank parcel then the larder staff encouraged me to come to the larder. I have been made very welcome – there is no judgement and a good selection of food. Having a cup of tea and a chat with other people on a Saturday morning is good as well.”
A man who regularly uses The Farm Basket community food larder in Irvine, after going for the first time in 2022, added: “This has saved me from starvation at times. I use it weekly, and it’s great that its local and I can walk to it.”
And a woman, who has been a member of Largs Food Hub since 2024, said she relies on her and her husband’s state pensions as their only income. Previously, they struggled to have enough food to eat from payment to payment, but say going to the Hub has made a huge difference.
Quote: I was impressed by the work that is being done by the team at Community Roots to support people in and around the village by helping them to save money on essentials. A lot of thought is also going into tackling food waste by teaming up with local supermarkets to offer their surplus items – like fruit, vegetables, bread and cakes – to members for free. Sadly, issues with food insecurity and access to nutritious food remain a reality for many people across North Ayrshire. So, it is important that we continue to treat people with dignity when they reach out for help.”
Quote from: Councillor Marie Burns, Leader of North Ayrshire Council
The Village Larder has the added benefit of getting fresh, seasonal produce from the associated garden nearby. The growers supply everything from beans and lettuce to cauliflower and winter salads.
Fi Thorburn, chair of Community Roots, added: “We were delighted to welcome Councillor Burns along for a visit during Challenge Poverty Week to show her the great community work that is being done with fantastic support from those living in the village.”
Published: 07 October 2025