What is a social supermarket?

Social Supermarkets are community-run shops that offer a range of high-quality food and household goods at significantly reduced prices — helping you make your money go further and reducing food waste.

The Big Difference has Social Supermarket locations in Northam and Shirley.

Our Locations

Can I shop there?

Yes, anyone is welcome to shop at our Social Supermarkets.

Unlike traditional food banks, we do not require proof of circumstance, membership or a referral to shop within our stores.

If you’re feeling the impact of rising food prices, looking to tighten your weekly budget or looking for a more affordable way to live, you’re welcome to pay us a visit!

what do you stock?

Our stock is donated to us by our amazing suppliers and is subject to frequent changes. There’s always something new to discover day-to-day!

We do our best to ensure that our stores have everything you need for a healthy, happy and affordable lifestyle.

The big picture

Shopping at our social supermarkets is not only good for your bank, it’s also good for your planet!

Every purchase — no matter how big or small — prevents perfectly good food from going to waste and helps us take one more step towards a more environmentally conscious future.

Whether you’re looking to shop more sustainably, economically or just looking to support our endeavours, our Social Supermarkets provide a low-cost and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional stores that benefits our community and planet.

We work together with all these amazing organisations to make a difference

  • Aldi
  • Asda
  • Beauty Banks
  • The Country Food Trust
  • Crown Foods
  • FareShare
  • Greencore
  • The Greenhouse Sussex
  • Greggs
  • Harvest
  • Iceland
  • John Lewis
  • Lidl
  • M&S Food
  • Neighbourly
  • Petty Wood
  • Sainsbury's
  • The Summer Berry Company
  • Tesco
  • Waitrose
  • Southampton Street Pastors
  • Veolia
  • CLF logo with the slogan 'in it together' on a red background.
  • Hope Street logo with a stylized pink hand and the tagline 'one small thing'.
  • Southampton Football Club crest with a soccer ball, a tree, and a four-leaf clover, with the text 'Southampton FC' and 'Saints Foundation' underneath.

Give us a visit!

Northam Community Centre
Kent Street
SO14 5SP

Opening Hours:

Mon-Fri 11am-1:30pm

 

Shirley Warren Primary School
Old School Library
Warren Crescent
SO16 6AY

Opening Hours:

Mon-Fri 1pm-4pm

 

Shirley Warren Summer Holiday Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 1pm—3pm

Please note Shirley Warren will be open for summer holiday hours until the beginning of September.

Our Northam store is still operating normal hours at this time.

Any further enquiries please do not hesitate to get in touch with us!

Are you a food provider who would love to support The Big Difference with food donations or become a food partner?

Please get in touch for more information by clicking below, calling us on 02380 431600, or emailing info@thebigdifference.org.uk

If you have any further questions about our Social Supermarkets, please contact us at info@thebigdifference.org.uk or pop in and have a chat with any member of our fantastic team!

Contact Us