The people making a difference: the food market pioneer taking on the cost of living crisis

theguardian.com:

‘I’m one of those people who says yes to things,” says Dorothy Bowker, sounding bewildered. I’ve just asked her why she decided to launch a community supermarket at an age when most people are enjoying a quiet and retirement, or spending time with their families. (Bowker, 75, is a mother of three, grandmother of nine, and great-grandmother of three.)

“I can’t say no,” Bowker admits. “People say, ‘will you do this thing?’ And I always say yes.”

Since 2015, Bowker has been a trustee of the Bridge at Leigh, which was originally a community cafe in this town small near near Wigan. It was her husband, Frank, who first got involved; he brought her in, and Bowker helped transform the space into a low-cost food market. The group collects surplus stock from supermarkets that would otherwise go to waste and sells it at low prices to members of the community. “People pay a £2 yearly membership fee,” Bowker says, “and can shop at really low prices. If they spend £5, they’re probably getting a bag of shopping worth £20 or even £25.”

The supermarket welcomes all, but particularly people on low incomes, families that are just about managing, and those who may have to choose between heating and eating. “Anyone can join,” says Bowker. “We don’t ask how much they earn. Sometimes we attract people who are more worried about food waste than cost, and they may pay extra. Other families are on benefits, and come regularly. You get to know everyone.”

She is concerned, as many are, about fuel prices. “People are struggling,” she says, “since energy bills went up.” Bowker herself isn’t immune. “I’m frightened to open my own bill!” she says.

The way she sees it, every penny her food market can trim from someone’s food bill is money they can put