Food Train began in 1995 following a community survey of older people that found many of them struggling with their weekly grocery shopping; an idea was developed to ease this burden on older people.  A partnership of local shops and volunteers formed and Food Train was born, becoming a limited Company in 1995. Charitable status was awarded in 1996 followed by Domiciliary Care approval by the Local Council in 1997.

It operated very successfully in Dumfries town area between 1995 and 2002 but the founder members knew there was potential to expand the service across the region.  A four year funding package from the Scottish Executive ‘Better Neighbourhood Services Fund' awarded in 2002 allowed staff to be recruited to develop Food Train and deliver grocery support across all Dumfries & Galloway.

From its early days of a few deliveries every week to a handful of customers, Food Train is now a thriving multi award winning charity with 6 local bases across Dumfries & Galloway providing support services to older people promoting independent living.

Further support from the Scottish Government and West Lothian Council has enabled the development of a new Food Train for West Lothian following the successful format used in Dumfries & Galloway.  New Food Trains are now open in Stirling and Dundee.


Mission, Vision and Values
The Food Train is a grocery shopping, befriending and household support service for older people.

Mission
Our aim is to support older people to live independently at home.  Our preventative services address the difficulty older people face getting their weekly grocery shopping, doing jobs around the house and the growing isolation that comes with failing health.  We also aim to provide a wide range of supported volunteering opportunities for people of all age and ability.

Vision
We envisage our organisation as a ‘one stop shop' for older people - by providing services or helping them access services to help them live independently at home for as long as they wish and are able.

Values -

  • we will respect our customers right to dignity, choice and independence in their later years
  • we will deliver our services with flexibility, openness and a ‘can-do' approach
  • we welcome diversity in volunteering and will respect and value the contribution made by our volunteers
  • we will develop and value working relationships with a wide variety of community partners