South Brent opens community fridge

South Brent's Community Fridge is now open to the public, helping reduce food wastage and supporting the community. 

South Brent now has a community fridge in the South Brent Old School Community Centre, run entirely by volunteers, in a bid to help reduce food waste.

Jessica Shipp posted in the South Brent Community Group to say that thanks to "a lot of hard work and a phenomenal team effort" the South Brent's Community Fridge is now open for everyone to use.

South Brent Community Fridge at the South Brent Old School Community Centre

Jessica said: "Located at the entrance of South Brent Old School Community Centre, the Fridge is open 24 hours a day for everyone to use.

"Please note the Fridge is NOT a Foodbank. This is about distributing surplus food that would otherwise have to be thrown away.

"We're hugely grateful to the Co-op in South Brent who give us the food they can no longer sell but which is perfectly edible. This is often because it has past its 'Display Until' or 'Best Before' date, or due to damaged packaging. Over time we will also be collecting from other food outlets.

"Sometimes the fridge will be well stocked and at other times it will be empty because people will have taken what is on offer."

South Brent Community Fridge at the South Brent Old School Community Centre

She continued: "Yesterday I took five hungry children to the Fridge after school and they feasted on chocolate twists and pain au chocolat. Today I got some fresh blueberries.

"Please help us spread the word about the Fridge so that it can become a much-used resource for everyone in the village. If you use it you will be doing your bit to reduce food going in the bin. In 2018 alone the UK threw away 9.5 million tonnes of food waste.

"Also, if you have food that you aren't going to use - for example, surplus from your garden or allotment - then please pop it in the fridge. There is a comprehensive list in the fridge of what we can and can't accept. The fridge is monitored daily by a lovely group of volunteers who will keep the fridge clean and tidy.

"Thank you also to everyone who has been involved in the last 5 months to see this project come to fruition. It's a huge team effort and will continue be run entirely by volunteers."

If you know of any other community fridges in the South Hams, or are thinking of starting one up, please get in contact at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or WhatsApp 07904 048997.  

Pic: Jessica Shipp at the South Brent Community Fridge