Each Friday, the Community Fridges open in Oakham and Uppingham, reducing food waste and supporting local families with a 'pay as you feel' scheme.

Across the country, more households than ever are relying on local food banks and community-led schemes to feed their families.

In Oakham and Uppingham, the Rutland Community Fridge scheme is no exception, both those in need and those passionate about reducing food waste heading down to make the most of excess food collected from local supermarkets by volunteers the night before.

The Oakham Community Fridge runs from Oakham Station on a Friday from 10 - 11:30am, and the Uppingham Fridge can be found at Uppingham Town Hall from 1:30 - 3pm on Friday.

Run by Root-and-Branch-Out, the scheme is supported through charity donations and a team of friendly volunteers.

The group also run a Souper Space in Uppingham on Friday from 1pm until 3pm, using up leftover veg to make hearty and wholesome soups for the community.

Last month, they launched a Souper Space with the Oakham-based charity Pepper's- A Safe Place, serving soup every Wednesday from 12pm until 2pm.

Rutland Community Fridge supplies from 08/07/2022

But what is a Community Fridge?

A Community Fridge is fridge, table, or cupboard full of food that comes from supermarket surplus or local retailers, cafés and pubs. Food is free to anyone who wants to take it.

Volunteers pick up the surplus food, usually on a Thursday evening, and share it out between the local people during the opening times each Friday.

It is a way of reducing food waste that would otherwise be in supermarket bins, and distributing it amongst the community.

Who can use a Community Fridge?

While a Community Fridge is fantastic for those struggling with rising living costs, anyone is welcome to come and use it.

Residents who do make use of this service are encouraged to donate what they can so that these organisations can keep running for as long as people need and use them.

Head down to Oakham Station today from 10am, or Uppingham Town Hall from 1:30pm, to make the most of this community led endeavour.