Food waste has been an ongoing problem in the U.K. and it only seems to be getting worse.
How often have you said “that’s a good deal, I will get more” when doing your supermarket shop? It is easily done and on some occasions the food has to go in the bin.
There are many initiatives out there to help try and reduce this waste. A fairly new one in Leicester is “Wigston Magna Community Fridge” . The concept is being trialled out with the environmental charity Hubbub UK and first arrived in the UK in 2016 with Community Fridges opening up in Swadlincote, Frome and London. Now over 30 projects are running across the country.
Hubbub creates environmental campaigns with a difference. They keep things simple, offer practical and realistic solutions that help people to cut waste, make clothes last longer, save money and create cleaner spaces to live and work in. The hub is also there to enable communities to share their experiences and learn from each other.
The fridge, located at Wigston Magna Children’s Centre, is open Monday to Friday 1130am – 3pm to enable residents and businesses to share surplus food. It is also there for others to help themselves to quality food that would otherwise be wasted. Please note the Fridge will close on 21st December and open again on 2nd January this year (2018). They have not long started out and need to build up their volunteers and food stock before they can open up for longer hours.
The Children’s Centre is calling all local food businesses/ allotment holders in Wigston to donate surplus food.
As you can imagine with food comes a lot of legal requirements and food hygiene. Here is what can and cannot be given to the centre.
Wigston Magna Community Fridge is currently working with Lidl, Milners Bakery and The Sandwich Shop in South Wigston too.
To find out more about the Wigston Magna Community Fridge, donate or volunteer ring: 0116 305 5282.
What do you think of this concept? Do you donate food or find it hard to donate food? The community fridge is a great way of making use of that perfectly fine food that would normally be thrown away.
Cheerio for now
Neha x
bejalgosai says
This is a fantastic inititiative which I’ve heard of recently in the city. A very worthy cause as I’m one who cannot stand food wastage especially as there are so many who can’t afford to put food on their table.
Beccy - Raucous By Nature says
Love this! Glad to see more things like this starting up around the city.
Laura says
What a brilliant thing for the community, I hope this idea is used in more places!
Miriam @londonkitchendiaries says
What an amazing concept! I sometimes donate food especially when I am blessed with too many apples from the garden 🙂 Have a wonderful Christmas and a great start to the New Year!