WESTBURY Community Fridge is celebrating saving just under 300kg – nearly a third of a ton – of food waste from going to landfill in its first three months of opening in March.
Westbury’s community fridge is the first of its kind to open in Wiltshire and was made possible by Westbury Town Council, the Waste Education Team at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust (funded by Wiltshire Council) and Crosspoint, plus a dedicated team of volunteers who keep the fridge stocked and clean.
Radek Evans, who leads the team of volunteers said, “The fridge is doing really well at saving food from going to landfill. However, we are still needing more people to come and use the facility. At the moment, any leftovers the volunteers are having to eat – so I’m sure they would be glad of others taking some too!
“It’s important that people know the fridge isn’t just for people who are receiving benefits, or are using the food bank, it’s for everyone! It’s all about reducing the amount of food waste.”
The fridge is available to everyone living in the town, with all items free. However, it operates on an honesty basis, with volunteers hoping people only take what they need.
The fridge is located in Crosspoint in Westbury Market Place and is open each week, Monday and Wednesday from 2.30pm to 5pm and Thursday and Saturday from 10am to 12.30pm. It will be a lucky dip as to what’s available in the fridge, depending on what surplus food has been donated by local food businesses.
Currently the fridge is grateful to the Westbury Lidl store which is a regular donor but other local businesses have shown an interest in helping out – contact Kieran if you’d like to donate food info@ westburytowncouncil. gov.uk or call 01373 822 232.
Jessica Thimbleby of Wiltshire Wildlife’s waste education team said, “Thanks to our volunteers, Crosspoint and Westbury Town Council, the fridge is proving a real success!
“The food in the fridge is available for anyone to take and use – Lidl have been great at helping us save food they no longer sell from going to waste, they’ve given lots of lovely fruit and veg that’s still perfectly edible and safe to eat, including loads of strawberries last week!”
