Community Fridge

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 sharclubed 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.

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.