The Rise of Community Refrigerators – Agriculture
Community refrigerators have been around for quite some time. Known by various names such as “free community fridge” or “community pantry,” their purpose is straightforward: to help reduce food waste and directly address food security issues.
Food insecurity rates surged during the pandemic, experiencing two peaks. The first spike occurred when the pandemic began, leading to job losses and widespread uncertainty. The second peak followed the depletion of COVID support. In 2022, 17 million households in the U.S. reported difficulties in accessing food, which is particularly frustrating compared to the sheer volume of food that gets thrown away.
The amount of food waste in North America is startling. In the U.S., approximately 40% of food is wasted, translating to 92 billion pounds per year. Canadians generate around 50 million tons of food waste annually, with estimates indicating that over half of this waste could be prevented.
This is where community refrigerators come into play. Food reaches these fridges in three main ways. Ideally, organizers continuously receive donations from large supermarkets and other retailers. When a supermarket anticipates that a load of food—such as apples, juice boxes, or lettuce—will surpass its sell-by date, it often partners with a community fridge. Volunteers collect these food loads and stock the fridges as supplies become available. Individual donations also contribute; these could be leftovers from your dinner or a loaf of bread you bought but no longer need. Many fridges allow neighbors to take what they need and leave what they can. Lastly, restaurant donations are part of the equation. Just like retail stores, some restaurants partner with community fridges to donate unsold meals for redistribution.
In this series, we will explore how community refrigerators have emerged in different neighborhoods, engage with those who utilize and volunteer at these fridges, and learn how citizens can get involved in their local community refrigerators.
Source: Tarım Haberleri
John Peterson graduated with a degree in Agricultural Sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. His specialization is in sustainable crop production and soil health management. John is passionate about integrating modern technology with traditional farming methods to enhance productivity while preserving the environment. He currently works as a consultant, helping farmers adopt sustainable practices.