A community fridge set up on a front lawn in a downtown neighbourhood in Peterborough has been helping the community tackle local food insecurity.

Sunny Malik started the Nogojiwanong/Peterborough Community Fridge in 2021. People in the community are free to donate items like eggs, dairy alternatives, bread and pastries, fresh fruits and vegetables, grab-and-go items, snacks, sealed non-alcoholic drinks, baby formula and pet food, pantry staples, raw meat and seafood, and dry goods.

The community fridge also accepts labelled donations from commercial kitchens, as well as wrapped PPE and personal care items. Malik says many people who take food from the community fridge often return with donations, and the fridge helps feed 15–20 people on a daily basis.

Neighbours have been helping with the upkeep of the community fridge, which is designed as small hut-style structures by the roadside. After nearly four years of helping those in need, the Peterborough Community Fridge is set to grow, as it has received grants from Trent University’s Impact Microgrant Program.

The community fridge is requesting local restaurants to donate end-of-day goods, which can feed the hungry and reduce waste. The fridge is located at 225 Dublin Street, Peterborough.

Source: Marc Woodhouse, Global News