A community fridge is helping Prestwich residents eat sustainably and tackle food waste together.
The Village Greens Community Fridge at Prestwich Library at the Longfield Centre is open to everyone who wants to share food that would otherwise have gone to waste.
Surplus food is donated from supermarkets, local food businesses, producers, households and allotments.
The fridge is open from 10am to 4pm from Tuesdays to Fridays, and 10am to 1pm on Sundays.
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One of the founders of Village Greens, and project co-ordinators, Rachel Getliffe said: “As a co-operative, Village Greens recognise our responsibility to make a difference to our community and our environment so we were delighted to be accepted for the funding to open our community fridge.
“We are a community-owned co-op focused on sustainable food and zero waste solutions and already work on a number of interventions to help tackle food waste and sustainable food and lifestyles in our community.”
The fridge was officially launched on December 23 with co-op member pioneer for Prestwich and Unsworth Becca Feay and library manager David Fielding.
Ms Feay said: “The fridge is such a wonderful asset to have in our local Prestwich community.
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“As well as helping to tackle food waste, it improves access to food for everyone.
"It’s been a privilege to work with the dedicated team of volunteers who worked so hard to make this project happen.”
Across the entire network, Hubbub, which helps provide the fridges, has estimated that 3,150 tonnes of food had been saved from going to waste in 2021 and 7.5m meals worth of food was shared.
The environmental charity has partnered with the Co-op to support and provide more funding for community fridges.
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Much of the food is donated by businesses including the Co-op on Parr Lane, Morrisons, Iceland, Incredible Edible Prestwich, District community allotments, plus individuals who donate food.
Rachel thanked all donors and volunteers for helping to “support our community” and “empowering people towards community-led food solutions".
There are rules regarding what can be donated and anyone who is interested in taking part or volunteering with Village Greens is urged to contact Rachel here.
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