Sustainable Merton has taken on a key role working with Merton Council and partner organisations to plan a coordinated response to the growing number of people experiencing food poverty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Founded by Sustainable Merton, Merton’s Community Fridge, which was planned to launch in April 2020, is a long-term initiative to address food poverty and waste in the borough. During this time of food crisis, Merton’s Community Fridge will be lending its name to this coordinated borough-wide response to form ‘Merton’s Community Fridge Network’. Merton’s Community Fridge Network, led by Merton Council, will see food provided through UK charity FareShare’s food redistribution network delivered to local food distribution hubs in the borough. Current partners include founder charity, Sustainable Merton, the Dons Local Action Group KommunityKitchen, Salvation Army, and Tooting and Mitcham Football Club. More partners are expected to join over the coming weeks.
This is a very fast moving project and the partners are coordinating their approach to make sure food gets to those who are most in need. I am delighted that the ‘Merton’s Community Fridge’ name is being used as it is so important that we not only deal with the current food crisis, but also that we ensure a long term sustainable approach to tackling food poverty and reducing food waste”.
Diana Sterck, Chief Executive of Sustainable Merton
For more information please email communityfridge@sustainablemerton.org