A FOOD pantry project that is being piloted in a west Cumbrian village has been hailed a success by organisers.

The project launched earlier this month at Harriston Village Hall, just outside of Aspatria, and will also be piloted in Millom.

Earlier this year Harriston Village Hall trustees were approached about becoming a pilot to work in partnership with Cumbria Recycling Limited to arrange a mobile food pantry to visit the village weekly.

The idea is people can get a minimum of £20 worth of food for a donation of £3.50 with food being sourced from Fare Share - a national organisation that rescues good in-date food and passes it onto people who are at times struggling.

Teams are also developing a support network to help people overcome personal issues such as managing money and getting a job.

Sellafield is the funder of the project with CRL Ltd being the accountable body.

Chairman of Harriston Village Hall, Henry Barker, said: “The launch was a fantastic morning. People were saying it was amazing what they got in their boxes.”

Anyone who attended to food pantry were given a tray filled with items like muesli, fruit, vegetables, salad, curry and juice.

On the first week 36 people received food trays and by the second week applications has already risen to over 40 people.

“We’ll build it up each week,” continued Mr Barker.

“We couldn’t believe the turnout it was a huge success.

“Most people have already told us they want it every week and we’ve already been able to help such a wide variety of people.

“There will be hiccups along the way because we’re just starting out but we can give feedback and sort them out.”

There is no set timescale on the piloting period, once trustee members feel it is ready then can declare it established.

As it stands, the project is only being tested in Harriston and Millom but there is already interest to roll it out in other towns.