Call them community fridges, free food fridges or ‘freedges,’ refrigerators set up in community locations for people to share food are gaining traction across the U.S. in states such as NY, CA, TN, FL, LA, and TX. This is due, in part, to the pandemic but the refrigerators were flourishing prior to the pandemic. Community refrigerators began overseas and in 2017 they were supported by a U.K. foundation, Hubbub Foundation in the U.K., Canada, Australia, India, Germany and Israel.
Promotion of/finding community fridges/how to set up…
- Promoting community fridges and finding community fridge locations
- Community fridge – how-to guide is a 68-page resource
Some examples of community fridges…
- Community fridges in PA;
- Community fridges across the country fight food insecurity;
- NYC’s community refrigerators provide free food for those in need;
- Community fridges popping up all over Toronto;
- Community fridges (Toronto to Bklyn);
- New Orleans groups set up community fridges;
- San Antonio community has a fridge;
Regulation issues…
- LA officials not ‘chill’ about community fridges provides an overview and history in California. Concerns include local health code enforcement, safety of electrical extension cords and the need for safety latches. Community fridges may occupy a gray area – technically they aren’t a business.
- Greenville, NJ community fridge owner given warning by city health department. The article details what rules this NJ community fridge must follow as a food operation/food-sharing service.