About the Good Food Scotland (GFS) model
I recently visited Threehills Community Supermarket and cafe, run by Good Food Scotland (GFS) in Nitshill. This post highlights GFS’s approach to the evolving social/community supermarket model and the use of donated food as well as GFS’s partnerships with local housing associations and links with the local community.
How it works
GFS operates nine community shops/supermarkets, and larders across Glasgow, plus one mobile shop. While each outlet runs slightly differently, they share common goals of providing affordable food and household goods to local communities. Membership is open to all for a £1 monthly fee.
The Threehills supermarket acts as a hub by supplying stock to other outlets. Stock comes from donations from producers and wholesale purchases.
The community shops and supermarkets aim to look and function like good local convenience stores – accessible hours, open to all, and no limits on purchases (unlike some traditional pantry models that focus mainly on distributing surplus food).
Prices are kept as low as possible, with donated goods helping offset wholesale costs. Some items are subtly marked as “pay as you feel.” Healthier choices are encouraged by limiting high-sugar items like fizzy drinks and cakes and pricing them similarly to local shops, avoiding direct competition.
This model covers around 85% of food costs, while staff costs are funded through grants.
Links with Housing Associations
Threehills Café and Shop is located at the base of a block of flats which is leased to GFS free of charge for 10 years by a local developer. GFS works closely with housing associations, including Wheatley, many of these provide rent free space to the organisation.
The café hosts Wheatley’s pop-up advice stands and GFS acts as an informal link between tenants and the housing association, often signposting to welfare and other support services. The café is also used to share local health or other information and serves as a venue for community and youth groups.
Future plans
Currently part of the Feeding Britain network, GFS plans to become a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) as its approach diverges from the Feeding Britain model. Over the coming years, GFS aims to improve sustainability and procurement processes to ensure continued access to quality, affordable food.
Impact
GFS contributes to Feeding Britain’s evaluation and research projects. Reports such as Feeding Community – The Role of Affordable Food Clubs in Building Resilient Communities and the Food Club Survey Report highlight how community supermarkets or food clubs reduce food insecurity, provide wraparound services to address its root causes, and build social connections.
Contact
For more information contact scott.mcfarlane@goodfoodscotland.org or visit the Good Food Scotland website https://goodfoodscotland.org
Good Food Scotland’s evolving Community Supermarket Model
About the Good Food Scotland (GFS) model
I recently visited Threehills Community Supermarket and cafe, run by Good Food Scotland (GFS) in Nitshill. This post highlights GFS’s approach to the evolving social/community supermarket model and the use of donated food as well as GFS’s partnerships with local housing associations and links with the local community.
How it works
GFS operates nine community shops/supermarkets, and larders across Glasgow, plus one mobile shop. While each outlet runs slightly differently, they share common goals of providing affordable food and household goods to local communities. Membership is open to all for a £1 monthly fee.
The Threehills supermarket acts as a hub by supplying stock to other outlets. Stock comes from donations from producers and wholesale purchases.
The community shops and supermarkets aim to look and function like good local convenience stores – accessible hours, open to all, and no limits on purchases (unlike some traditional pantry models that focus mainly on distributing surplus food).
Prices are kept as low as possible, with donated goods helping offset wholesale costs. Some items are subtly marked as “pay as you feel.” Healthier choices are encouraged by limiting high-sugar items like fizzy drinks and cakes and pricing them similarly to local shops, avoiding direct competition.
This model covers around 85% of food costs, while staff costs are funded through grants.
Links with Housing Associations
Threehills Café and Shop is located at the base of a block of flats which is leased to GFS free of charge for 10 years by a local developer. GFS works closely with housing associations, including Wheatley, many of these provide rent free space to the organisation.
The café hosts Wheatley’s pop-up advice stands and GFS acts as an informal link between tenants and the housing association, often signposting to welfare and other support services. The café is also used to share local health or other information and serves as a venue for community and youth groups.
Future plans
Currently part of the Feeding Britain network, GFS plans to become a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) as its approach diverges from the Feeding Britain model. Over the coming years, GFS aims to improve sustainability and procurement processes to ensure continued access to quality, affordable food.
Impact
GFS contributes to Feeding Britain’s evaluation and research projects. Reports such as Feeding Community – The Role of Affordable Food Clubs in Building Resilient Communities and the Food Club Survey Report highlight how community supermarkets or food clubs reduce food insecurity, provide wraparound services to address its root causes, and build social connections.
Contact
For more information contact scott.mcfarlane@goodfoodscotland.org or visit the Good Food Scotland website https://goodfoodscotland.org