Thomas Cliffe and Laura Steele welcomed customers into the store for the first time on Monday
"Instead of going to a food bank, being handed a bag and getting back home then finding out that they won't use all those items, at least here they can buy the tokens and shop around for the items they would choose to buy."
Founder Thomas Cliffe hopes the first "social supermarket" in Newcastle-under-Lyme, designed to help people struggling with the cost of living, will offer the "freedom to shop with dignity".
Set up by Community Cupboard NUL CIC, the store allows members to buy groceries at cost price or below, with more choice than other outlets.
Customers can sign up for a membership costing £1 for 12 months. They are then able to purchase tokens to spend on items throughout the store.