Fridge benefits

A popular project in Telford that redistributes unwanted food is all about give and take.

People in Brookside can add or remove food to the Community Fridge which is open five days a week from 9am to 4.30pm.

Bishop Michael experienced the initiative, which has been running for 18 months, first-hand on a recent visit to Central Telford Parish.

The fridge was launched as part of Brookside Big Local a Lottery funded scheme with support from the parish council, Brookside Central Charitable Interest Organisation and the Co-op.

The Revd Janet Holmes, Community Minister in Stirchley and Brookside, has also been heavily involved.

It is a fridge from which everyone can add or take produce, she explained. The project is a community response and is about reducing waste, caring for the environment and sharing what we have with one another. At Harvest time the fruit and vegetables from the Harvest Festival display in the Church are taken to the fridge as soon as possible. We have also created recipe cards to create tasty meals from the food in the fridge.

The Co-ops new Food Share distribution scheme, which aims to reduce food waste from stores across the nation, provides items to be shared. Local Residents also add food to the fridge which includes seasonal home grown fruit and vegetables.

The fridge which is monitored and cleaned daily by trained volunteers - is helping to combat waste which sees the average UK household discarding 470 worth of food a year.

Janet added: Although its a community project, and not specifically a church project, members of the various churches add and take food from the fridge in the same way as everyone else.

Find out more on Facebook @brooksidecommunityfridge

Pictured from left: Revd Tim Storey, Area Dean for Telford; Revd Janet Holmes, Brookside Big Local Community Worker Jackie Plant, Bishop Michael and Eli Wilkinson, Manager Brookside Central CIO.


Published: 26th March 2019
Page last updated: Tuesday 26th March 2019 11:00 AM
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