The Meaford Community Fridge and Pantry
Feeding the community together!
Have you had a chance to visit the new location for the Community Fridge and Pantry in Meaford? It's home is now with E&R Bulk Bin at 365 Sykes Street South. A huge shout out and thank you to Elaine and Ray for being our new hosts!
So how does a community fridge work? It might be easier than you'd think.
If you have some extra produce from your garden, leftovers from a family meal, or even bought some extra from the grocery store, you're welcome to come and donate the food. We have a full-sized fridge for items that need to be kept at a cooler temperature and even a freezer for items that need to stay frozen. There's also shelf space next to the fridge for items that are shelf stable. There's really no limit as to what you can donate, but keep in mind that items that will go bad in a day or two might not be the best fit.
If you're looking for some extra grocery support, anyone is welcome to take what's available from the fridge, freezer, or pantry. There's no registration required and no fee to participate. It doesn't matter what your income level is either—everyone is welcome to take what's available! It can feel pretty magical to test out new recipes with vegetables that you've never used before.
The community fridge and pantry are a great way to eat locally. There are regular donations throughout the harvest season from a number of local farms, including the Meaford community gardens, so there's a good chance that the food you're taking is grown locally and is fresh from the soil. If you are a local store with produce that isn't sellable anymore, the Community Fridge is a great way to divert that food from the landfill and into mouths that need it. Again, there's no need to register or check-in; anyone is welcome to drop off food anytime during business hours.
If you're interested in participating in this wonderful program, head on over to E&R Bulk Bin and say hi to Elaine and Ray. You can take a peek at what's in the fridge or bring some food to donate. If you have more questions, feel free to reach out to us at scaleupprojects@gmail.com.