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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the 'community shop' thing is going to get abused by some.

111 replies

cantheyseeme · 10/12/2013 16:55

For people who dont know there is a food bank kind of thing been set up in Barnsley where shops give food and it is sold at like 70% off. This is only for people on benefits from what i can gather, where they can get a loaf of bread for 20p and other things free. In the ideal world this would be a brilliant source of food for people in need but i cant help thinking there are people out there who wont use this as its intended purpose and spend their benefits on non essentials and think its ok because theres always things like food banks etc to fall back on. I also find ita bit of a pisstake that its only for people on benecits when there are a large number of people in this country who work and are just as poor.

OP posts:
Original poster
cantheyseeme · 10/12/2013 16:56

Sorry not other things free, i meant cheap.

OP posts:
BohemianGirl · 10/12/2013 16:58

There will be a black market economy spring up round it.

If something RRPs at £1 but is sold in the community shop for 25p - it will be sold on for 50p and everyone is happy.

gamerchick · 10/12/2013 16:58

Awesome Grin

Binkyridesagain · 10/12/2013 16:59

I thought it was for people that were below a certain income level.

gamerchick · 10/12/2013 16:59

You are aware that a lot of it is rejects and would have gone to waste management don't you?

yourcruisedirector · 10/12/2013 17:02

It is for people in receipt of most kind of benefits, so includes the working poor.

But there will probably be a bit of black market action around it. So long as there is sufficient food for everyone who wants to buy it's probably not an issue. And the food will come direct from the food production industry - any items with packaging damage, cancelled orders, overstock etc, so it's not like it is subsidised. Great that those things will cease to go to waste.

Ragwort · 10/12/2013 17:02

Well, what would you suggest otherwise?

I volunteer at a Food Bank & this is a continual 'issue' with some of the other volunteers. It doesn't help that sometimes the clients come in with the latest mobile phone or ipad Hmm. However, it is important not to judge - it's a bit like saying all bankers are greedy tax avoiders.

In any area of society there will be a tiny proportion of abuse - the important thing (to me) is to not lose sight of the good things that are being done. Smile

JustGettingOnWithIt · 10/12/2013 17:03

Oh quick, close it down, someone might do better than they ought!

Dawndonnaagain · 10/12/2013 17:04

I'm fairly sure that it won't be too bad, they will have thought of most things. This has (as pointed out in many of the articles) been going in Europe for years. It is a good thing.

gamerchick · 10/12/2013 17:05

It makes me feel sad at the thought of a black market in food from a cheap shop.

Joysmum · 10/12/2013 17:07

It may will be abused BY THE MINORITY but it will benefit THE MAJORITY. I'd rather help the majority knowing a small minority will abuse the system than not have any schemes like this.

Original poster
cantheyseeme · 10/12/2013 17:08

I think in theory its really good i just think a few people with bad intentions will give it a shitty reputation and ruin it, i do love the whole salvaging food that would have gone to waste idea though. Is it run by a charity or anything or the local authority as im curious as to what the cost is to rent the premises etc is.

OP posts:
WilsonFrickett · 10/12/2013 17:09

I used to work in a bank so I know allllll about the few spoiling it for the many. That doesn't mean I advocate closing banks down however.

I think this is a brilliant idea on all sorts of levels actually.

fatlazymummy · 10/12/2013 17:12

Yes it probably will get abused by a minority. At the same time ,a few other people who desperately need it won't qualify, or will be just above the cut off point, or will be too proud to use it.
That is the thing with benefits and welfare. It's really difficult to ensure that only/all the people who need it receive it. We just have to try and make it as efficient as possible and if some people scam the system that's better than people who really need it going without.

gamerchick · 10/12/2013 17:14

It's only allowed so many hundred members though is that it? Not a free for all.

I hope it takes off.

gamerchick · 10/12/2013 17:15

*isn't

manicinsomniac · 10/12/2013 17:16

It sounds like a good thing to me.

I think it should be free though, if it would otherwise be going in the bin.

MoreThanChristmasCrackers · 10/12/2013 17:17

I heard you had to have a card/prove you were on benefits, etc.
What a fantastic scheme and so glad it happened now. Too many people are struggling, yes there are people who work who are struggling too, but on the whole they are better off than those not working.

Original poster
cantheyseeme · 10/12/2013 17:18

I suppose thats why its not free then to pay the rent etc (slaps head!)

OP posts:
specialsubject · 10/12/2013 18:28

the concept is disgusting. Not because it is limited to those who need it, not because the goods are cheaper - but because they would otherwise be dumped in a hole in the ground when there is nothing wrong with them.

they would be binned because labels are crooked, packaging is slightly damaged, some of the food is 'short dated' (perfectly usable, just will last somewhere near a normal amount of time) and similar revolting reasons.

our food chain managers need to take a long hard look at themselves.

Balaboosta · 10/12/2013 18:30

I hate these threads. What's it to you? Too judgemental for me!

sashh · 10/12/2013 18:31

I think it should be free though, if it would otherwise be going in the bin.

And where would the costs for the building and paying the staff come from?

MrsLouisTheroux · 10/12/2013 19:35

I also find ita bit of a pisstake that its only for people on benefits when there are a large number of people in this country who work and are just as poor.
^ this ^^

Seff · 10/12/2013 19:39

Many people on benefits do work. It's a big fat myth that everyone on benefits does not work.

farrowandbawlbauls · 10/12/2013 19:43

I'm uneasy about this whole thing. I can't pinpoint why at the moment, but something just isn't right.

It's a great idea in theory but....ALDI and Lidl even ASDA can be cheap enough to shop in and they (the shop) were advertising fruit or 99p per bag, I think you can get fruit cheaper at a local market.