A community fridge is a space that brings people together to share food, meet up, learn new skills and prevent fresh food from going to waste. They’re open to all and anyone can share or take food, including surplus from supermarkets, local food businesses, producers, households and gardens.
Fridges are run by community groups in shared spaces such as schools, community centres and shops. Community Fridges first opened in Germany and Spain in 2012-13, and the UK’s first Fridges opened in Frome, Brixton, South Derbyshire and Botley in 2016-17.
Today, Community Fridges are global, with Fridges in India, New Zealand and Israel amongst other countries. There are also over 600 fridges in the UK now (and counting).
The Community Fridge Network is coordinated by Hubbub and brings together all UK-based groups running a community fridge. It enables them to share knowledge, skills, ask questions and provide support to each other. Fare Divide CIC is part of the network and we also benefit from their support.
Community Fridges:
- Stop good food ending up in landfill sites or incinerators.
- Are run by volunteers
- Make surplus perishable food freely available to members of the public
- Collect surplus food from local businesses.
Reducing food waste in our area
Community fridges are a tried and tested way of reducing the environmental impact of food waste, which is a huge issue. A third of all food produced globally is wasted. According to Hubbub, if food waste were a country, it would be the third biggest emitter of greenhouse gases globally.
The Fare Divide Fridges for Littlehampton, Horsham, Henfield and BN44 can redistribute 1-4 tonnes of surplus food each per month – that’s up to 16 tonnes across our network alone, every month!
Bringing the community together
We’re also a sociable bunch. We know that rocketing food prices and widespread loneliness are contributing to making life hard for people, and we feel our fridges offer a place to meet and chat in the local community.
The Second Chance Café is a place where people can get together, and the menu is mainly sourced from surplus food available on a pay-as-you-feel basis. We can’t wait to see you there!