Reducing food waste and empowering communities
Posted on: September 20, 2022
A Community Fridge is a space that brings people together to eat, connect, learn new skills and reduce food waste. It is a site where local people can share food, this includes 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, their main purpose is saving fresh food from going to waste.
The Community Fridge Network is coordinated by Hubbub and it connects fridges across the UK. It is a support network for groups running fridges to share knowledge and skills and to ask questions. The Network offers free guidance on how to set up your own fridge and provides comprehensive support, design assets, a knowledge sharing forum, health and safety templates and discounted fridges and freezers!
There are currently over 300 fridges across the UK and counting, Hubbub have partnered with Co-op to fund 500 fridges by the end of 2023.
Read on to find out more about setting up your own fridge, joining the network or finding a fridge in your local area.
Click the links below to find the section you need.
Where is a fridge near me?
A Community Fridge can be accessed by anyone locally who wants to share food, volunteer or get involved with some of the other amazing activities the group have to offer. We have created some guidance on what you can and cannot share with the fridge (for health and safety reasons) so make sure to check in advance before you visit.
Use our fridge map to find your nearest Community Fridge and get involved!
How do I set up a fridge?
Click here to download our How To guide which shows you how to start your fridge from scratch.
We are currently accepting applications from groups to receive grant funding to set up a fridge. Find more information and submit your application here: Application Form for Grant Funding
How do I join the network?
To join the network, please complete this membership form: Network Membership Form
Becoming a member gives you access to all our support and resources, signs you up to our quarterly newsletter and connects you with other likeminded groups in our network.
Try and answer every question possible and make sure that you will be able to provide the documentation and assurances asked for in time for your launch. Members are required to register their Community Fridge as a Food Business with their local authority. Following from this you will have had an inspection from an Environmental Health Officer and receive a food hygiene rating for the fridge.
Once the online form is complete you will be sent an email with the information on the next steps and a resource pack that includes a list of supporting retailers you can contact for food donations. We will also add you to our mailing list so you’ll receive newsletters and updates from us.
You can also join our Facebook Group here and start chatting with other Community Fridge groups across the UK.
How can I share food?
Community Fridges are open to everyone, and anyone is welcome to share food.
I’m an individual
Use the map above to find and get in touch with your local fridge and offer your support.
I’m an organisation
We are proud to work with some fantastic partners who play a vital role in reducing food waste and sharing food, and we’re keen to develop more local connections with food growers, manufacturers and retailers who, by sharing quality excess food, not only reduce wasted food and disposal costs, but directly support their local community. If that sounds like something you’re interested in, get in touch with the team at [email protected] to discuss how we can work together.
Rules on food donation
Read our rules on food sharing by clicking on the links below
What difference are we making?
In 2021, we estimate the Community Fridge Network redistributed around 3,150 tonnes of surplus food (that’s the same as 7.5 million meals!*) and we welcomed over 1 million visits from 250,000 visitors
With each fridge sharing an average of 2.1 tonnes of food per month, the collective impact of the Community Fridge Network is huge. What’s more important though, are the stories that we hear from communities. The fridges bring people together, address social isolation and provide people with the opportunity to access healthy food, try something new and save money.
In a nutshell, a fridge is often so much more than a fridge. As well as introducing you to new people and foods, Community Fridges host all kinds of activities such as cooking workshops, food growing, clothes swaps… you name it.
To find out more check out our 2021 annual report.
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