The Vale of Glamorgan Council's housing department has officially launched its Food Pod in Penarth this afternoon.

First established in August 2021 with help from STAR Residents Association and local volunteers, the Food Pod is now operating from a converted shipping container on St Luke's estate.

The Food Pod is open on Mondays and Fridays between 14:00 and 16:00 and Wednesdays from 15:30 until 17:30. It offers tinned and perishable goods to residents, as well as toiletries and hygiene products on a pay-as-you-can basis

Designed to support local communities that have faced major challenges during the pandemic, the Food Pod will also help tackle the issue of food waste.

The facility is part of the council's Clean Slate Neighbourhood programme, a two-year scheme to make this area of Penarth cleaner, greener, healthier and better connected

Cllr Lis Burnett, cabinet member for Regeneration and Education at the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: "I'd like to thank Jane Hutt, the Welsh Government Minister for Social Justice, for joining us to open this important facility.

"We knew people were struggling as a result of the coronavirus crisis and wanted to help. It's important that the council provides support in any way we can.

"No one should go hungry and I hope that this initiative will help ensure that does not happen in Penarth."

She continued: "The Food Pod offers a range of goods, with people asked to pay only what they can afford. There are often ingredients available for a number of meals as well as household basics.

"Volunteers from the STAR Residents Association and other local volunteers have played a big part in establishing this service and I'd like to thank them for those efforts."

Jane Hutt MS, Minister for Social Justice, said: "I was delighted to formally open the Penarth Food Pod. The pandemic has had a devastating impact on people's finances and now the cost-of-living crisis is making households even more financially vulnerable.

"Spiralling energy prices and rising inflation are making it even more difficult for people to afford the basic essentials such as food."

She continued: "This scheme has shown just what can be achieved when a community, helped by a wonderful group of volunteers, works closely with the local council to support its residents.

"The Food Pod is already making a positive difference to the lives of local people."