Community Fridge launches at Newark College to support the community and prevent waste

Efforts are being made for healthy food to be accessible for students and the community while reducing food waste.

A Community Fridge has launched at Newark College, supported by the environmental charity Hubbub.

Located at the college’s main reception, the Community Fridge is open to all students, their families and everyone in the wider community to access fresh food that would otherwise have gone to waste.

There is no need to be referred or to prove eligibility to use it.

The food is donated by businesses, including fortnightly deliveries from FareShare Midlands, and the Co-op who donate surplus food from its stores.

As well as improving access to food, the fridges aim to help people learn new skills through activities such as cookery sessions.

One recent example saw supported education students at the college putting their new catering skills into practice by cooking a nutritious lunch for their classmates using food from a recent donation.

This enabled them to plan a meal using available seasonal items, rather than shop for a specific recipe.

Lead for education and training at the college Penny Taylor said: “We’re delighted to have a Community Fridge at Newark College and to be building on our Foodbank initiative.

“Our students can now access fresh and packaged food goods from us and effectively all the ingredients needed for a variety of dishes.

“We are encouraging them to make more of mealtimes; cooking with friends and family and eating together. They’re already seeing the health and cost benefits of eating this way rather than reaching for convenience food or takeaways.”