In the hall tucked behind Seventh Day Adventist Church in Logan Street are shelves groaning under a range of groceries items any corner store would be proud of.
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And there are no wages involved in this operation. The Food Hub is run entirely by eight volunteers and they're kept very busy.
While the Hub is open to shoppers from 12.30-3pm each Wednesday afternoon, many of the volunteers are on hand all of Tuesday and Wednesday, accepting deliveries, placing orders and collecting from outlets to ensure those shelves, fridges and freezers remain full.
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The Food Hub purchases a pallet or more each week from the Food Bank in Sydney, which accepts donations from stores. Coordinator Cushla Jones said some may be approaching their use-by dates but a lot is just excess to requirements, in the wrong packaging or rejected for some other cosmetic reason.
After several years of involvement with the operation she knows what her clients want and ensures all the basics are in supply (although barring toilet paper during the great Toilet Paper Famine of 2020), plus a few treats.
Fresh produce comes from Sue's Veggies, bread from Tenterfield Bakery and eggs from Cheepers Peepers, all at heavily-discounted prices. The volunteers also do four pickups a week from the local Coles store which participates in the Second Bite program, and local growers often donate excess produce.
Around 50 families a week take advantage of the cut-price groceries, down from 70 pre-Covid. Mrs Jones puts this down to some moving out of the area and others securing employment. Participating families must register and their details are recorded, and Mrs Jones stressed that the service is for those in need.
She said families can live off what the Food Hub offers quite easily, perhaps paying $50 for what might otherwise cost $300.
Shoppers can browse the shelves before approaching the checkout with their selections, just like a grocery store. With a minimum $5 purchase they also receive free bread, eggs and a box of fruit and veg.
The Food Hub is run as a not-for-profit service. If there are excess funds Mrs Jones buys refrigerated items locally and on-sells them at a discount.
The operation officially closed down for six weeks during the worst of COVID but Mrs Jones and husband David still worked helping families having difficulty accessing JobKeeper payments.
They also work closely with Tenterfield Social Development Committee, even providing emergency hampers for new arrivals.
"It helps families get through their first week," Mrs Jones said.
She said the Food Hub is a service for the community, appreciated by those who would otherwise struggle.
"People say to us 'If it wasn't for you guys, I don't know how we'd survive'."
