Causeway Coast & Glens Council approve funding for Ballycastle and Glens social supermarkets

Social supermarkets are funded by the Department for Communities (DfC). They operate on a membership model, where eligible individuals facing financial hardship pay a weekly subscription to access a reduced-cost food shop for a specified period, typically between three and six months.

In parallel, members are supported through wraparound services, including debt and budgeting advice, benefits guidance, healthy eating education, and training.

Last year Council’s Leisure and Development Committee agreed for contracts to be awarded to Ballycastle Community Group CIC and Glens Social Supermarket Ltd, for an initial one-year period up to March this year. At May’s committee meeting, members approved allocation of £11,615 funding apiece to the same groups, for the 2026/27 year.

Members said the initiative continued to help those in poverty.

SDLP councillor Ashleen Schenning and Sinn Féin councillor Cara McShane said they were “happy” to propose and second the approval respectively.