Councillor Gillian Graham visited Lochwinnoch community larder to help with the delivery of food parcels.

Run by volunteers from Local Energy Action Plan (LEAP), the larder redistributes surplus food from supermarkets otherwise destined for landfill to be given back to those in need.

The larder has around 1000 members from 400 households in its membership system which runs across Renfrewshire and North Ayrshire.

The Gazette: Writing on Facebook, the community page said: “Thanks so much to Cllr Gillian Graham for coming and helping out at the larder.

“While our pantry is open four days, we make up parcels on a Friday and deliver them to houses around the Lochwinnoch area to those who can’t make it down in person. Gillian came and helped with making some up and delivering them yesterday.”

The larder runs on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at varying hours.

Councillor Graham said: “I was delighted to spend the morning with the Lochwinnoch Larder team, in particular Tori, Charlotte and Peter.

“We all know that so much food regularly goes to waste and then to landfill. This is not only a waste of money, when times are hard, but the resulting methane has a significant negative impact on climate change.

“I asked to meet and spend time with the larder to know more about the work they do with residents who are unable to visit the larder due to mobility issues or lack of access to transport. I helped pack food bags and deliver these to residents.

“In the current cost of living crisis, we are seeing increasing numbers of people using foodbanks. I would encourage anyone in Lochwinnoch anyone who is struggling with food bills and can’t get to the larder, to reach out and call them to arrange a food pack.”