Join the Community Fridge Network

Before considering if you can set up a fridge, it's important to check you should. Use the statements below to check whether it’s the right project for you, your group and your community.

• We are clear on our reasons for wanting to set up a fridge - people set up a fridge for lots of different reasons, take a second to think about why its important to you to reduce food waste in your area. Take a read of Hubbub's ethos to see if we share the same motivations.

• There are no other community fridges serving our local area - look around your area - are there already food projects or fridges there? If yes, think about how you might help them instead of duplicating what already exists. If no, that’s great – your fridge will make a big difference to your area.

• We know that people want a community fridge - make sure people in your area really want it. This is so important and makes a huge difference in gaining support from the community. Talk with your neighbours, ask what they think, and see if a fridge matches what they need or want for their community.

• We are already part an official community group or charity - setting up a fridge means doing some legal stuff. It’s only possible to do this as an official community group or charity rather than trying to do so on your own. This way, you can get registered as a food business, get public liability insurance and even a bank account to manage your funds.

• There is surplus food available to collect in our local area - here’s the next step - find out if there’s food going to waste in your area that your fridge could use. Local farms, allotment associations, food producers, cafes, hotels, and food shops might have perfectly good food that they just can’t use. You should also sign up to online platforms like Caboodle, Neighbourly, and Foodiverse. They help arrange food collection slots with local supermarkets, making it easy for you to pick up surplus food.

• We have time to run a community fridge - running a community fridge takes time and hard work. You’ll need to manage food, volunteers, and activities. So, before you start, make sure you have enough time for this.

Not only do these fridges provide people with fresh food that would otherwise go to waste but they offer a place for communities to come together, support one another and learn from each other. Learn about their impact: click here

It's ideal to have a dedicated, accessible space like a community centre, church, or shared hall. Yet, many successful fridges have started in alternative spaces, too! If you don’t manage your own space you might be able to ask local partners who do to help out.

While you might want to set something up yourself It's much better to think about how you might help or collaborate with them instead of duplicating what already exists. Get in touch with them and show your support.

While initial funds can be helpful, many fridges start on a shoestring budget. The CFN provides tips about how to set a budget – plus find out from other groups to hear how they raised funds to get started.

While this can be daunting, we provide a handy food safety guide to help groups understand how to run a safe fridge that meets food safety standards.

All fridges are required to register as a food business, follow best practice procedures and have food safety training for its staff.

Nope! We're all about fostering community, and there's no fee to join.

Find out if there's food going to waste in your area that a fridge could use. Local farms, allotment associations, food producers, cafes, hotels, and food shops might have perfectly good food that they just can't use. Online platforms like Caboodle, Neighbourly, and Foodiverse can also help liaise with supermarkets to procure surplus food.

Setting up a fridge means doing some legal stuff. It’s only possible to do this as an official community group or charity rather than trying to do so on your own. This way, you can get registered as a food business, get public liability insurance and even a bank account to manage your funds.

Don’t know where to start in terms of creating a group? Check out My Community

Almost always, yes! But fear not, the CFN offers guidance on recruitment, training, and volunteer management to ensure a smooth operation.

It varies depending on the size and number of days you might want to open, but opening and running a fridge takes time and hard work. You'll need to manage food, food safety, volunteers, and visitors. The best way to find out is to use our map and arrange a visit to your local fridge

Absolutely! Businesses can share surplus food, volunteer time, or provide other resources. Reach out to your local fridge through our map.

Absolutely! Any community-minded organisation that's keen to reduce food waste and make good food accessible to everyone is welcome to set up a community fridge. Just make sure it's free and open to everyone in the community. The more the merrier!