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A postcard view can hide a quiet crisis. On the North East coast, we meet a village split between seaside tourism and year-round struggle, where high prices, long bus rides, and limited choice make a weekly shop feel out of reach. We sit down with headteacher Helen Isaac and volunteer Graham to unpack how Seton Primary turned its school hall into a lifeline—hosting a Bread and Butter Thing hub that brings fresh fruit, veg, chilled food and staples straight to families who need both affordability and access.

What unfolds is part logistics masterclass, part love letter to community. Helen shares how a three-class school builds confidence across ages, keeps the whole school moving with a daily mile, and opens its doors to neighbours beyond the school gate. Graham explains why the packing line feels like a party, how surprise surplus becomes a friendly swap, and why local volunteers—not just staff—belong front and centre. We explore the “portfolio shop” people wish they could do, the reality of a single convenience store priced for tourists, and the difference a consistent weekly hub makes when buses run thin and supermarkets are seven or eight miles away.

We also dig into the power of relationships. Our CDDOs show up week after week, learning names and stories, anchoring trust that turns a food bag into agency. Schools prove to be the beating heart of a place—familiar, walkable, and ready-made for partnership. The result isn’t just full fridges; it’s kids trying new foods, parents stretching budgets without fear, and neighbours turning a queue into a conversation.

If you care about rural food access, tourist towns, school-community partnerships, or practical ways to fight the cost-of-living squeeze, this story offers a clear map and real hope. Subscribe, share with a friend who’d love it, and leave a review to help more people find the show.