The average UK family wastes £810 a year by throwing away edible food and drink. At the same time, according to research by The Food Foundation, more than 13 million people in the UK – almost one in five of the population – are struggling to get enough to eat.
Despite the growing awareness of food waste, people and businesses lack easy ways to pass on food near its 'sell by' date to others, which is where community fridges can help!
Sustainable Merton, Merton’s local environmental charity is delighted to announce that a new satellite community fridge has opened in South Wimbledon to serve local residents.
Set up with the support of Clarion Futures, the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group, Clarion’s Rutlish Community Fridge will distribute fresh surplus food donated by local supermarkets and businesses to the community.
The community fridge is run by volunteers, including residents of one of Clarion’s nearby supported living schemes for people aged 55 and over. Food from Sustainable Merton’s main community fridge hub at Morden Baptist Church is transported to Clarion’s Rutlish Community Fridge by e-bike and trailer as part of environmental charity, Hubbub’s pioneering zero emissions Food Connect scheme.
Everyone is welcome to visit Clarion’s Rutlish Community Fridge to collect free food, and people can also drop off any good but unwanted food for others to take.
Businesses are also invited to get in touch at clarionhousingcommunityfridge@clarionhg.com if they are interested in donating surplus food. Organisers would love to hear from anyone who would like to volunteer their time to help with the day-to-day running of the fridge.
The community fridge is open from 10 - 11am on Tuesdays at the Rutlish Road Community Room SW19 1LY. Access is via the path from Rutlish Road or the car park on Charles Road.
Matt Parsonage, Head of Communities at Clarion Futures, said:
“With household budgets all too often stretched to breaking point due to the cost of living crisis, initiatives like this one are so important, helping people to access free food to supplement their supermarket shop. It’s a win-win as not only is the project helping to put food on the table for local residents, it’s stopping food going to landfill and we’re proud to have played our part by supporting it, helping to make a difference for the local community.”
Diana Sterck, CEO of Sustainable Merton, said:
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Clarion to set up this facility that supports people in need of food support whilst saving good food from being thrown away.”
To find out more, visit sustainablemerton.org/communityfridge or email clarionhousingcommunityfridge@clarionhg.com.
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