ACE Community:

Fridge & Pantry

A logo with a heart shaped recycling symbol at the top, a vertical 'PANTRY' sign on the right, and a box of bottles. The logo includes the words ACE, COMMUNITY, and FRIDGE, with green and black text, promoting a community fridge and pantry.
Informative poster titled 'ACE Community Fridge, Pantry & Refill' divided into three sections: the left section titled 'Pantry' describes its low-cost service providing affordable food and hygiene essentials; the middle section titled 'Community Fridge' explains its role in redistributing surplus food collected by ACE to local schools and community pantry, with surplus items available daily; the right section titled 'Sustainable Bites' details a low-cost takeaway food program offering jacket potatoes and salad, focusing on environmental responsibility and learning activities.
Flyer for Ace Pantry, a community food support initiative. It mentions supported by Just a Smidge Refill and Ace Community Fridge. Shows images of food items including canned goods, snacks, and fresh vegetables. Provides details about membership, pricing, and contact information.
Registration box
Interior of a small retail store with shelves stocked with various household and personal care products, a white table with magazines, and a black chair, near large front windows and a glass door.
Shelf filled with various food items and pantry supplies, including cereal boxes, canned goods, sauces, and snacks, in a kitchen or pantry area.
A frozen display of assorted frozen foods in a glass door freezer at a grocery store, with signs indicating there are two different items per membership and instructions for proper door usage.
Open refrigerator with three shelves containing packaged food and vegetables, located near a window showing an outdoor scene with buildings and parked cars.
Inside a grocery store, a white shelf displays various bread and baked goods, with stacks of plastic wrapped bread on the top shelf. Below are baskets filled with vegetables, fruits, and other fresh produce. Outside the store's window, buildings and
Green and red tomatoes in green plastic crates, with green beans in blue crates beside them on a white surface.
Interior of a pharmacy or medical supply store with shelves stocked with medical supplies, a table with chairs, and plush animal toys on top.
Fresh croissants with chocolate chips displayed on a tray at a bakery or cafe, with a basket of condiments and utensils in the background.

Community Fridge

Boxes filled with various snacks and baked goods, with a sign reading "Community Fridge" in the background.
People standing at an outdoor farmers market stall selling fresh vegetables and fruits, with a green and white tent and a white truck in the background.

Our volunteers liaise with nearby supermarkets, farm shops or anywhere that is registered to sell or produce food to ask them if they wish to donate any good surplus foods to the Community Fridge.

These foods are still perfectly good to eat but shop rules mean they have to adhere to manufacturer’s date guidelines. They’re usually the foods you see in the supermarket with yellow reduced stickers on.

Sadly until these guidelines change, shops are not allowed to sell any items after their best-before dates!

Our volunteers collect surplus food from supermarkets and farm shops, which would otherwise go to waste, and transfer them to the Community Fridge. The food is then shared and used free of charge within the community.

This helps to reduce food waste and provides access to food for those who may be struggling financially. It's important to note that we are not a food bank, and you do not need to be means tested or on any benefits to use the food inside the Community Fridge.

Based on feedback from our community fridge users, we now prioritize the stock into community boxes. These boxes are distributed to local schools, community groups, and low-income workers. They contain the same items as the community fridge and pantry, but are taken to venues to facilitate access for people who may be unable to get to us during our opening hours.

Emergency food support boxes and the Pantry also have access to our community fridge stock.

A graphic of a refrigerator with an eco-friendly heart symbol at the top. The words 'ACE COMMUNITY FRIDGE' are written inside, with 'ACE' highlighted in green and black. Below the fridge image, logos of Lidl, Co-op Food, and Aldi are displayed, with a note thanking ACE Community fridge supporters.
A grocery store display with fresh vegetables, bread, and packaged baked goods, along with a bouquet of pink and yellow flowers in the foreground.
Informational flyer about the ACE Community Fridge & Pantry project, describing its purpose, target audience, food safety guidelines, supporting organizations, and contact information, including QR codes and website URLs.
A cardboard box filled with pre-packaged baguettes, along with fresh produce including red bell peppers, green lettuce, garlic, onions, and oranges.

Where do our community boxes go?

  • Youth Options, Balksbury School, Vigo School, East Street School, Yellow Dot Nursery, Andover Care Home, Andover Ambulance Station, Andover Police Station, Andover Recycling Centre, Andover Dad & Me Club, Community Connect Ukrainian Refugees group, Roman Way School, Knights Enham School, Home Group Support Home, Finding Freedom Centre.

Some of the above are regular delivery recipients, and others are one-offs.

Various prepared and packaged food items on display, including sushi, sandwiches, and desserts, arranged on a table.
Bulk dispensers with dry goods, a recycling symbol with a wooden sign promoting shop for home essentials ethically, and a message about buying what you need to reduce waste.

Just a Smidge Refill station

Do you need Emergency support?

ACE Community Fridge can provide one of our Essentials Emergency Packs.

Please click here to apply for a pack.

Please note - all applications are treated with the utmost confidentiality.

A colorful flyer promoting Andover Community Engage with information about various support programs including helping with school uniforms, prom wardrobe, interview and back-to-work support, clothing and baby bank services. The flyer features illustrations of people, clothing items, a woman with a baby, and a QR code for support application.