Families across north Glasgow now have easier access to fresh, affordable food on their doorsteps, as a new mobile pantry takes to the road, serving communities where support is needed most.
North Glasgow Community Food Initiative (NGCFI) is a grassroots charity working across Royston, Springburn and Milton to help people access healthy food while tackling poverty and social isolation. Each week, it supports more than 300 households through services including a Community Pantry, Fruit and Veg Barra, Community Meals, a Community Fridge, cooking classes and a community garden. The organisation is shaped by local people, with volunteers and residents directly involved in designing and delivering its work.
The mobile pantry came to life when NGCFI transformed a recently acquired Low Emission Zone-compliant van into Glasgow’s first mobile pantry and barra. The vehicle – known to the community as “Fruity LuLu” – brings fresh produce, affordable groceries and hot food directly to schools, community centres and neighbourhood hubs.
The renovation involved installing serving hatches, refrigeration, food preparation facilities and a bright, community-designed wrap to ensure the van is both practical and welcoming.
By removing barriers such as transport costs and limited mobility, the mobile pantry project helps more people to access nutritious food while creating spaces where neighbours can meet, share and connect.
This work has been supported by a £3,000 donation from Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust, which provides funding to community organisations in north Glasgow and beyond.
Leila Eddakille, Project Manager at North Glasgow Community Food Initiative, thanked Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust for the funding, saying, “Thanks to this incredible support, we have been able to transform our Low Emission Zone-compliant van into Glasgow’s first mobile pantry and barra.
“This renovation allows us to bring fresh, affordable food directly to schools, community centres and local neighbourhoods, tackling food insecurity and isolation head-on. We can create a flexible, sustainable service that will reach hundreds of families every week, ensuring more people have access to healthy food and opportunities to connect. We are deeply grateful for this partnership and the lasting impact it will have across north Glasgow.”
Gerry Facenna, founder of Allied Vehicles Group, said, “We are proud to support the fantastic work of North Glasgow Community Food Initiative as they operate this innovative service. Taking the mobile pantry directly into the community will make a real difference to local families, giving them access to the fresh, healthy food closer to home.”
As Fruity LuLu carries on her journey across north Glasgow, hundreds of families will continue to benefit from a service designed around their needs – bringing food, connection and opportunity straight to their doorstep.
