With rising living costs, an increase in fuel and utility bills, and the now infamous price hike of Lurpak to over £9 in some stores, more and more people across the country are relying upon local projects and community fridges to feed their families.

The Rutland Community Fridges are no exception to this, the Oakham and Uppingham branches seeing queues of local people turning up each week for assistance and sustenance.

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.

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.