The First Minister opened the Threehills Community Supermarket and Café in Nitshill.
Local people can join up and get food at cheaper prices than supermarkets as well as a café and advice sessions.
The shop and centre is part of a network of 400 around the UK and a growing number in Scotland.
(Image: GT)
Swinney cut the ribbon on the centre and said it was a “tremendous project” which would have a “huge impact”.
He said it fitted with his ambition of eradicating poverty as “it is about building capacity within communities”.
The First Minister, said: “I would like to see projects existing that provide real heart and grip in our communities that’ll make us a better and a stronger country.
“I want these projects. I want these community-based solutions.
“These are what will get us through difficult times and they should be there to bring the best out of our communities.
“I spend lots of time in communities seeing lives being transformed. Projects like this are manna from heaven.”
(Image: GT)
Already around 400 households in Nitshill, Priesthill, Arden, and Darnley have signed up for membership.
Good Food Scotland is behind the supermarket.
Chris Stephens, Chair of Good Food Scotland, said: “Clear academic research and survey work demonstrates that we are moving people away from foodbanks, that people are getting access to affordable fruit and vegetables, able to afford to cook their own meals, and improve their well-being.
“We are on a mission to eliminate food poverty, and we share the First Minister’s mission to tackle all causes of poverty.”
Pauline Gilgallon, development manager, explained it has taken four and a half years to develop the facility.
She said: “I’m so pleased we’re here serving the community.
“It has been difficult but we persisted and now we are here standing among our people. I am so proud to be part of this.”
The initiative is part of a wider UK initiative, Feeding Britain.
Andrew Forsey, director of Feeding Britain, said: “The Scottish Government has made a welcome commitment to end the need for food banks in Scotland. “Community-led approaches like the Threehills Community Supermarket will have an important role to play in meeting that commitment, seeing as they can both get more money into people’s pockets and help them stretch that money further each week.”As well as the shop and café there are weekly advice surgeries from Govan Law Centre.
Sophie McBride, money advice worker, at GLC, said: “We offer advice on debt and income maximisation, check entitlement for benefits and help with housing and homelessness issues.
“People can get face-to-face advice at the same time as they come in for their messages and a cup of tea.”
