WHEN Bradford photographer Shy Burhan was commissioned to document a project tackling food poverty in the city, she was moved by what she saw.

Shy has spent several months visiting low cost grocery markets set up by the FoodSavers network - and her photographs are going on display in an exhibition opening next month.

Says Shy: “Late last year, I was commissioned by FoodSavers to document their pilot project - a network of food outlets offering affordable groceries to Bradford residents.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A volunteer packing shopping for customers at Sutton House pantry, Holme Wood A volunteer packing shopping for customers at Sutton House pantry, Holme Wood

“Set up by Inn Churches, in partnership with Bradford Council and Bradford District Credit Union, FoodSavers aims to reduce dependency on food banks and free food provision, by combining low-cost food markets or pantries with easy access to a Credit Union, as part of the wider food support ecosystem.

“Over the last few months, I have had the pleasure of travelling to the various FoodSavers outlets and meeting customers, staff and volunteers as they roll out this worthwhile and much needed initiative.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Food shelves at St Philip's Pantry in Girlington Food shelves at St Philip's Pantry in Girlington

“Loosely based around their five pillars of dignity, empowerment, choice, behavioural change and financial inclusion, it is my pleasure to share some of these photos.

“The venues are as diverse as the clientele themselves. I have photographed cookery workshops, weekly shops, a Christmas Day lunch and pantry launches in church halls, community centres and the repurposed FoodSavers supermarket HQ.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: St Stephen’s Pantry, West Bowling. Right is Sarah Hinton, whose team Shine runs the food pantry there St Stephen’s Pantry, West Bowling. Right is Sarah Hinton, whose team Shine runs the food pantry there

Adds Shy: “Never have I seen such a need for this initiative as now - post-pandemic and post-Brexit. FoodSavers offers the chance for Bradfordians, particularly the most vulnerable, to build a savings pot with a recognised Credit Union, and save money on their weekly shopping (£5 average shop) at one of these ten pantries. These are expanding all the time and several more outlets are planned to open this year, in Bradford.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Launch of the Bierley pantry. Juli Thomson is right Launch of the Bierley pantry. Juli Thomson is right

“It really is groundbreaking. I’ve spoken to clients who have told me that these pantries have saved their lives. The pantries charge from £3 to £6 for a shop. With the exorbitant rise in food, fuel and energy prices, some clients have sunk deep or deeper into poverty. FoodSavers uses surplus food that’s headed for a landfill and sells it, supermarket style so that the customers have choice, which gives them dignity. And having the option to save into the Credit Union at at £1 a shop too is a habit that some could never have considered. Literally shop and save.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A cookery workshop at Shaw House in Bradford A cookery workshop at Shaw House in Bradford

Inn Churches provides practical support to homeless and vulnerable people across Bradford. The charity has more than 850 volunteers from 70 churches and the wider community. Its Welfare Hub works throughout the year to help people who are homeless or vulnerably housed, and its Winter Shelter provides emergency bed spaces over the winter months.

The charity tackles food poverty through distributing surplus food to community groups across Bradford, and its Cooking Hub provides healthy eating education to schools and community groups, as well as turning unwanted food into meals in a pay-as-you-feel café, and recipe parcels for people to cook at home.

Says Juli Thomson, who runs Inn Churches: “FoodSavers - a network of outlets offering affordable groceries for those who need it most - is helping to change the lives of Bradford communities for the better.

“FoodSavers pantries offer the chance to:

* Save on your weekly shopping bill;

* Save food from going to landfill;

* Save into a recognised Credit Union, every time you shop.

“We already have 10 pantries across Bradford, where people can shop in a pleasant and welcoming environment, choosing what they want from a wide variety of fresh and store-cupboard foods, toiletries, and household cleaning products. They typically pay a membership fee of £5 for a large bag of shopping. If they choose to join the Credit Union, £1 of their membership fee goes into their account, every time they shop.

“The FoodSavers model is really taking off in Bradford. An estimated 255 people regularly shop in the pantries, and 45per cent of these have opened Credit Union accounts. Customers say they value the chance to choose what they really want, and the dignity of knowing that they are paying for their shopping, and not accepting handouts.

“For many people, building up savings is not a luxury they have. It’s empowering to know that they’re building a nest egg in a savings account, and some are inspired to add to their savings when they find they have a pound or two to spare.

“The current financial crisis means that numbers visiting the pantries are growing all the time, and several more outlets are planned to open in the next few months, across Bradford.”

* The exhibition of Shy Burhan’s FoodSavers images will be at the Twenty Two Shaw House pantry, Rawson Road, Bradford, which the public can access on Wednesdays from 10am-2pm from May 18.

* For more about the FoodSavers pantries email Juli at network@foodsavers.org.uk

* For more about Shy’s work visit shybphotography.com