A LOCAL food bank is reminding families that it also offers fresh, low-cost food to the whole community.

As well as providing food and household basics to people on a referral basis, Pembrokeshire Action To Combat Hardship (PATCH) also run a Community Food Co-op from its Milford Haven base.

The co-op, which was set up 14 months ago, runs every Wednesday from 10.30am to 2pm, and provides bags of quality fresh fruit and vegetables for just £3 a week.

Costs are kept low thanks to Discounted Foods, in Charles Street, whose supplier also provides for the food co-op.

"Getting your fruit, vegetables and salad from a food co-op throughout the year could save you around £200 per year," said PATCH co-ordinator Tracy Olin.

"The Community Food Co-op is open to anyone. You come to PATCH one week and order and pay £3 for your bag to be picked up the following week.

"Some bags are the same every week but the often the contents change depending on season, and the scheme is open to everyone."

The project is run with the guidance of the Rural Regeneration Unit (RRU), and has been assisted by the Port of Milford Haven.