Frequently asked questions
1. What is a community pantry?
A community pantry is a not-for-profit shop that sells basic groceries at low prices. It's designed to help people who are struggling to afford food.
2. Why does the Bega Valley need a community pantry?
Many people in the Bega Valley rely on government benefits, face high unemployment, and struggle with poor access to transport and affordable housing. Nearly one in five children live in poverty. These challenges make it hard for families to afford healthy food and basic living costs.
3. Where is the pantry?
The Pantry is located at 2 Peden Street, Bega, NSW 2550
4. When did the pantry start?
The Pantry opened on 28 September 2017
5. What days and hours is it open?
The Pantry is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 11am to 2pm. On Thursday it has extended hours, from 11am to 6pm
6. Who runs the pantry?
The Pantry is run by two staff members, Mandi and Cath, supported by a diverse group of volunteers. It is a charitable project of Sapphire Community Projects Inc, with tax-deductible donations and public liability insurance.
7. Is your stock free?
No, because we purchase most of our stock, we must recover our costs. We get no government assistance. If we did not charge for our stock, we would not be able to continue to operate.
8. Where do the food and other items come from?
The Pantry buys food and supplies from Foodbank, Australia’s largest hunger relief organisation. Foodbank collects surplus stock from food companies and offers it at very low prices, with some items free. We also receive donated fruit, vegetables, and bread from local supermarkets, growers, and other businesses.
9. Where does the money come from to run the Pantry? The Pantry sells items at low cost to cover its expenses and keep buying stock. It also receives donations from local groups, businesses, individuals, and fundraising drives. Grants help pay for big items like fridges, freezers, and vehicles—for example, our white van was funded by the Commonwealth Bank and Inner Wheel Australia.
10. Who can shop at the pantry?
Everyone can use the Pantry. No paperwork is needed, so customers can shop with dignity and choose what they need for themselves and their families.
11. What if people who can afford to shop at supermarkets use the Community Pantry?
Everyone is welcome to shop at the Pantry. It helps people manage rising living costs, including those facing short-term food insecurity from illness, job loss, or big bills. Customers are treated with dignity and respect—no proof of need is required.
12. How much will it cost to shop at the pantry?
Our model is cost recovery, so prices are very low. It is estimated that for each dollar spent at the Pantry, customers will receive around the supermarket equivalent of $3 worth of goods.
13. I would like to shop at the Pantry, But I do not want to take food away from those who need it.
Most Pantry items are purchased, not donated, so you’re not taking food from others in need. At times, some products may be in short supply—if so, we’ll label them with limits. We also offer free items; if you don’t need them, please leave them for others. If you’d still prefer to help, a small donation at the counter can go toward buying food for those who need it most.
14. You keep talking about “food insecurity”. What is food insecurity?
Food insecurity means not having enough food, access to food, or the ability to prepare it properly. Some groups in Australia are more at risk—such as people who are homeless, unemployed, on low incomes, renting, single parents, young people, Indigenous Australians, those from diverse backgrounds, or socially isolated.
It can be caused by limited money, poor transport, high food prices, living in remote areas, or not knowing how to eat well. Food insecurity can harm children's health and learning.