A Highland mum who runs a community food shed from her garden has had to take her donations back inside her home after supplies were taken in bulk.
Two sheds in Inverness have been open for free public access for the last seven months, allowing people to take what they need in a crisis.
But now the owner of the sheds, Suzy Reid, has decided that in order to keep enough food to go around, she will now instead make up food parcels for anyone in need.
Ms Reid said some items, which is for people facing an emergency, have been taken in bulk from the shed.
‘I have had some problems’
On social media, Ms Reid said: “When I first opened food sheds seven months ago I had decided from beginning they would be a self-serve thing.
“I wanted others who were in need to feel like they could use sheds with no questions asked and also sheds being unmanned fitted perfectly around my other commitments.
“I have unfortunately had some problems with sheds and my garden, some issues I share, others I don’t. But there’s a particular issue I can’t ignore any longer.”
The community food sheds are funded by donations and an incredible display that Ms Reid and her family put on in her Druid Road garden for Halloween, and then again at Christmas.
Not only do the sheds collect donations from people who enjoy the displays – but there is also a sweet shop that people pay for treats from.
‘I have no choice now but to change how food sheds work’
All the work at the sheds and in the garden is done for free.
She said: “Taking items from shed in bulk on a regular basis is having an impact on sheds and other families in need.
“The sheds are designed to help in emergencies only. I can’t allow sheds to be abused any longer by the people who are doing this.
“I have no choice now but to change how food sheds work. If folk can contact me via message and I will make up food parcels that can then be collected.
“I’m gutted to have to lock up sheds and do it this way. I wanted to create a place for others to freely use sheds with no pressure but unfortunately some have abused this and I can’t allow it to go on any longer.”
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