Auckland’s first community fridge opens doors

A fridge offering free food to Aucklanders in need opens today (November 28) in the CBD.

A project by zero-waste blogger Amanda Chapman, the fridge aims to reduce food waste by sharing surplus food.

“I first heard about solidarity fridges through a friend who had used them in Germany,” Ms Chapman says.

“I thought it would be a great concept to trial in New Zealand but had no idea how to start one up. When I saw that Auckland Council was making funding available for groups to raise awareness of the issue of food waste, I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.”

The rules of the fridge are simple: take what you need and leave what you don’t. Individuals can share their excess garden produce, tinned or dried goods. Commercial bakeries and cafes are being encouraged to donate any unsold bread, sandwiches and baked items which would normally be thrown away.

A group of volunteers will check the fridge twice a day to make sure that all food is safe to eat. The fridge is located outside in the new Griffiths Community Garden, on the corner of Mayoral Drive and Wellesley Street West and is funded through Auckland Council’s Love Food Hate Waste Fund. It is open 24 hours a day.

For details, contact [email protected] or visit here for more information.

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