The Nourishing Norfolk programme, run by the Norfolk Community Foundation (NCF), has created the UK’s first network of affordable food hubs, with its own central warehouse.

And a new study has outlined its significant value to the county - not only in feeding struggling families, but also in helping tackle social isolation, nutrition and health issues.

Volunteers at Shrublands Community Food Club, Gorleston(Image: Shrublands Trust)

The evaluation was carried out by the University of East Anglia (UEA) and supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East of England.

The report shows that, since its launch in 2020, Nourishing Norfolk has helped more than 40,000 people across 15,000 households in 30 communities.

And it was calculated that every £1 put into the programme creates £6.54 in social value, by improving health, easing money worries, and strengthening community life.

The NCF says this is the first time a UK scheme like this has been tested so thoroughly, setting a new benchmark nationally.

Its network now includes 26 "social supermarkets" across the county, serving coastal towns, rural villages and city neighbourhoods.

The NCF said these are not food banks, but local shops where people can choose affordable groceries and also find friendly advice and support to address wider challenges such as loneliness, health, and employment.

The report also shows that people saved on average 50pc on their weekly shop, with 75pc of shoppers reporting less worry about money, more than half saying they felt less lonely, and 70pc........

© Norwich Evening News