Community Fridge - Our Ethos

Introducing community fridges

Community fridges are so much more than a fridge!

Here’s a whistle stop tour of how they help people, communities, and the environment...

What is a community fridge?

A community fridge is a space where anyone can exchange food that would otherwise go to waste.

Run by local volunteers, many fridges also provide a positive social space for local visitors to learn more about food, sustainable eating, growing your own and eating on a budget.

The UK’s first community fridge was trialled in 2016. Since then,100s of community fridges have taken root across the UK helping thousands connect to their neighbours, access nutritious food, save money and reduce waste.

Why? Food waste A third of all food produced for humans globally goes to waste. The average UK household can save £60 a year by avoiding food waste.

Food distribution There are many brilliant organisations involved in the redistribution of food. However many cannot cope with perishable food and don’t allow for sharing between households.

Strong communities Community fridges foster a spirt of sharing and reduce social isolation. People are now sharing time, skills, household goods and looking out for each other.

Life skills They provide residents with access to knowledge and new skills relating to healthy, sustainable and affordable living. More often than not, they catalyse community action on food and give rise to initiatives such as community gardens, co-operatives and cooking workshops.

We are proud to see community fridges at the heart of a growing number of resilient communities.

In a nutshell Community fridges are

Community fridges are not

• Friendly

• Food banks

• Open to all

• A solution to food insecurity

• Accessible • Community-led • Focus on environmental impact of reducing food waste • Spaces to access new skills and friends

Thank you for supporting community fridges, help us to spread the word!

Here’s some tips to bring the spirit of community fridges to life...

Fridge User Agreement We strongly recommend that you create a user agreement for your fridge.

This will act as a code of conduct that volunteers and visitors will agree to and promise to follow when visiting your fridge. It can be tailored personally to your fridge and be core to the values and expectations of your community.

Involve your community in the creation of this document. How would you collectively describe the actions which will make the fridge a safe and friendly space for all?

Style your space

Members of the movement share a vision for enticing and user-friendly spaces.

Making the area around the community fridge as welcoming as possible is a great way to get the community involved. We recommend you: • Put up colourful posters and signage encouraging people to take and donate food to reduce food waste • Add homey touches, like places to sit, bunting, community art and notice boards • Add features that will attract people of different ages and backgrounds.

Can you add some toys for children? Or advertise local events/classes for adults.

• Go beyond the community fridge! Can your space start a swap shop rail, community cooking sessions, or a community garden?

Ideas for posters

Anyone is welcome at the

Help us save the plant

by reducing food waste!

Weigh your food before you go to join the food waste revolution!

Reduce food waste by using the

Thank you #