Hubbub oversees a national network of Community Fridges, Buckinghamshire has four in High Wycombe, Chesham, Chalfont St Giles and Aylesbury. However, due to funding from the CO OP there are currently 100 grants available for communities to apply for to expand this network!
Community Fridges are social spaces where anyone can share surplus food. They reduce food waste and empower communities to help each other through activities such as cookery sessions and workshops on how to grow your own fruit and veg. The Community Fridge Network was set up by environmental charity Hubbub in 2017 and there are now 250 fridges across the UK, welcoming 460,000 visitors per year. Each Community Fridge redistributed an average of 2.4 tonnes of food per month in 2020, and with Co-op’s commitment to double the network, the fridges could collectively save a total of 34 million meals from going to waste annually.
Applications for grants are open to community groups and not for profit organisations which are in a position to set up their community fridge in the next six months. Food alliances can play an important part by making sure the community groups they work with are aware of this fantastic opportunity to get involved. Successful groups will receive £4,000 funding, support to set up the fridge and membership to Hubbub’s Community Fridge Network, which offers free guidance to community fridge organisers including design assets, peer support, health and safety templates as well as discounted fridges and freezers.
For more information on the Community Fridge Network, including a map of fridge locations, advice for those interested in setting up a community fridge, and more information on applying for grant funding visit: www.hubbub.org.uk/the-community-fridge