A popular Milton Keynes sustainable grocer has launched a Crowdfunding campaign in a bid to support its expansion.
Molly's Pantry was founded after Molly took a break from work to focus on going back to university and Jo (co-founder) who worked in theatre lost his job as the pandemic took hold on 2020.
Molly and Jo got down to their last £160 and with no furlough announced, the pair had no idea how they were going to support themselves or their children.
Molly and Jo decided to tap into a network of small producers that they knew and started a veg box delivery scheme.
Molly's Pantry started with 30 veg boxes, a facebook page and a spreadsheet, but the gamble worked and very quickly they were delivering carefully sourced, low packaging, fresh, mostly local, produce all over Milton Keynes and it's surrounding areas.
By June 2020, Molly's Pantry opened its physical store as well as having a web based ordering system to support its growing delivery service.
As well as stocking more and more environmentally considerate lines, Molly's Pantry also worked with local producers and introduced the refill shop concept to compliment its huge grocery range.
Over the lockdowns, the business began feeding families who were struggling for free with generous food hampers which were paid forward by customers.
Now, the shop has become a popular community hub with a common goal of living better, knowing their neighbours and creating a nicer world to be in, one step at a time, in Bletchley.
Most recently, the business has outgrown its shop, its website and its van. The business is set to move into a larger unit but has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help reach its target of £3000.
The business says costs will cover scaling up equipment costs enabling them to increase their ranges, allowing for more allergy friendly products and reducing the risks of cross contamination because they will be in a much bigger space.
So far, the campaign has raised 46% of its target funds in 2 days.
You can find out more about Molly's Pantry or help the campaign here.
