What is a Community Fridge?
“Community Fridges are a space where surplus food is shared for free, bringing people together to eat, connect, learn new skills and reduce food waste.” Hubbub.org.uk
Unlike a food-bank, there is no need for anyone to be referred and people using the fridge can “take as much as they need and give what they can”. No money changes hands but people can give their time if it suits them to be a volunteer.
In Devizes all the people involved in making the community fridge happen are volunteers who share their time, skills and knowledge with each other. The Community Fridge we hope will become a place around which a community can interact and connect.
Why have a Community Fridge?
Sustainable Devizes recognises that food waste is a huge issue. 33% of the world’s food is wasted and said to be responsible for 2 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions. There are now more than 300 Community Fridges in the UK. It has been reported that reducing food waste is the 3rd most effective way to cut these emissions. As an example, the Community Fridge in Frome claims to prevent 140 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions each year. This is the equivalent of driving 340,000 miles. So if each of the Community Fridges in the UK do the same this would be equal to over 102 million driving miles.
Where will it be?
The fridge will be sited in the Shambles Indoor Market close to the Market Place entrance.
When will it be open?
We will be launching the Community Fridge towards the end of September but before that you will be able to talk with Fridge volunteers by visiting the Shambles. As soon as we are ready to start we will announce our opening hours.
We will start by opening for 2 hours on 1 day a week and this will gradually increase until we eventually might open for 4 days a week for 3 hours each day. This will depend on the number of volunteers we have available and the amount and regularity of food donations.
to get the latest on what is in the Community Fridge check out Community Fridge Devizes (@devizescommunityfridge)