Cathy Yeoman
March 24, 2023
Launching soon: Reydon & Southwold Community Fridge & Pantry
Community fridge and pantry projects have been cropping up across the UK for some time with the cost of living crisis accelerating their popularity.
Originally designed to help to tackle food waste, and redistribute short-date supplies, they have also now become a welcome part of many communities. In the last few months, Kessingland Parish Council has opened one, situated in the village library.
In April 2023, Reydon Parish Council will trial a new Community Fridge & Pantry, after the initiative was proposed and received unanimous support at Februaryâs Parish Council meeting. The project is being run in conjunction with Southwold Town Council.
The Reydon & Southwold Community Fridge & Pantry will be situated in a room at Reydon Village Hall. It will be open in the morning, and late afternoon, each Friday. The launch date and exact opening times will be announced on our website and Facebook page as soon as we have confirmation.
Our pantry and fridge will stock both fresh and dried goods, based on what weâre allocated or donated from local businesses. Weâre working with organisations like Caboodle and Fair Share, which specialise in helping communities to tackle food waste across the UK. The food will be free and the pantry is open to everyone, although the number of items per household may be limited.
We want to invite our gardening community to bring any surplus fruit or vegetables from allotments or gardens along to us. This is exactly the sort of thing weâd love to distribute at the Pantry, and we invite any keen growers to get in touch. We also plan to provide pet food, donated by the RSPCA, and over time we hope to extend the range of items we have available and provide a place for other sustainability and affordability ideas like book swaps.
Do you want to help? We need a team of volunteers to help us to run the project, and we would love you to get in touch if you think you could lend a hand. This could be the occasional local food pickup if you drive, or you might be happy to come and help us at opening times for a few hours. Volunteers working at the Community Pantry will receive free training in Food Hygiene level 2, paid for by the project funding. We are aiming to limit the time needed to one Friday per month for each person, although of course, anyone wanting to help more is welcome.
Email us at reydon.pc@gmail.com
The project is being funded by a number of organisations, who have all generously donated to help us get this initiative off the ground. Reydon Parish Council (also a funder) would like to give huge thanks to: The Reydon Trust, Southwold Town Council, East Suffolk Council, Suffolk County Council and Adnams.
See you at the Pantry! Councillors Jessica Gregson and Madelaine Senior.
