Have you ever heard about community fridges? Well, if not, they are fridges in communal areas with a purpose to save fresh food from going to waste. In the UK, the Community Fridge Network is coordinated by Hubbub, with over 300 fridges across the UK and large supermarkets like Tesco, Co-op, Sainsburys, Waitrose, Morrisons, and more contributing to the effort. In 2021, the Community Fridge Network redistributed the equivalent of 7.5 million meals, which helped to reduce food waste by astronomical amounts, by sharing surplus food instead of throwing it away and encouraging sustainable practices, therefore supporting food security. Community fridges also help to address social isolation and foster community connection together by creating a space where people can exchange information and resources.

 

A more recent benefit brought about by these community fridges is due to the cost of living crisis; according to the Guardian, food prices have skyrocketed by a whopping 19.1% which adds pressure to the poorest household in Britain, in particular, those who spend most of their income on essentials such as food. By offering relief to those in most need, community fridges are alleviating some of the devastating effects of the cost of living crisis.