Food is more than just sustenance; it’s a means of connection, culture, and compassion. However, many people face the harsh reality of food insecurity.
Communities can make a real difference through food sharing initiatives. This article explores various ways to feed those in need, highlighting effective strategies and innovative ideas that foster community spirit.
Community Fridges is a wonderful idea from our Canadian friends, to help nourish communities that are struggling to afford good meals in so-called ‘food deserts’ (you know the areas – often one NISA or Spar shop with not much more than frozen pizza and chips or bags of crisps to eat for dinner).
We need good solutions to bring local affordable organic food back to communities, and this is just one idea that is being carried out over the ocean.
Read up on food safety for people & pets
If growing food, use no-dig gardening and fruit protection bags (over netting, which can trap birds and wildlife). Learn how to create pet-safe gardens (use humane slug/snail deterrents). Avoid facing indoor foliage to gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.
People in the community who can safely leave an unlocked fridge in the premises let the fridges be anonymously used by local people, with donations from people or food companies, to basically help themselves. There are rules on the site on how this works.
For example, you obviously have to keep food sealed and in date, and certain foods (like some meats and cheeses) are not allowed. The motto of the Community Fridge is ‘take what you need, leave what you can’ so others can benefit.
People are also asked to ensure their hands are clean (or they use gloves) when accessing the free food, and throw it away, if you see anything not good or out-of-date. New donations are placed in the back of the fridge, so the oldest food gets used first, to avoid food waste.
Toronto’s Community Fridge also accepts restaurant-prepared meals if still in date, along with other basic need items (soap, laundry powder, nappies and personal feminine care etc). One thing not allowed in the community fridge is alcohol, for obvious reasons!
Why not get together with people in your community, and come up with a similar idea? It would reduce food waste, feed hungry people and reduce the profits of the big supermarkets that get rich on the backs of providing inferior food at great expense to people on low budgets, and often wrap it in plastic packaging?
Many places worldwide are now offering community fridges, from Los Angeles to India? Let’s get the community fridge movement started in England too!
The Community Nature Network is a collective of local people coming together, to create green spaces. Two organisations involved are In Our Nature which teaches people how to grow their own food in Manchester. It also runs clothing swaps, teaches people how to mend their own clothes and has installed pill recycling boxes, so older people can bring unused medicines to send off for recycling.
In London, Windmill Lane Edible Garden grows food that locals can help themselves to. These are mostly filled with fresh herbs, but also salads, radish, broad beans and garlic. The site has ‘edible templates’ and a free guide to greening up your alleyway.
