Rutland Community Fridge is expanding into neighbouring Melton Mowbray this year, as well as getting set to welcome an after hours fridge in Oakham and a third fridge in Rutland.

Rutland Community Fridge is run by Root-and-Branch Out, a local food and education charity working towards supporting residents and young people across Rutland.

The project sees volunteers collect food waste from local shops, bakeries and businesses to give to the local community on a pay-as-you-feel basis.

On top of the Community Fridges in Oakham and Uppingham, throughout the winter months the team run a Souper Space - serving a hearty meal of soup made by volunteers with waste ingredients - from Uppingham Town Hall on Fridays from 1pm.

As well as saving food waste, the team hope to continue providing their service to all who need it within the local community.

And they will be doing this by opening an evening fridge in Oakham and new Community Fridge in Melton Mowbray, alongside Welly's Work, an inclusive community service for learning disabled adults focused on progression and wellbeing.

Rutland Community Fridge supplies food to those in need and helps prevent food waste. Image credit: Rutland Community Fridge.

The Community Fridge team shared the news on social media: "The community asked for MORE - we are about to deliver.

"We are bringing you more Rutland Community Fridges!

"A new Community Fridge in Melton Mowbray, in collaboration with Wellys Work Place. An after-work-hours Community Fridge in the heart of Oakham - and a third Fridge in Rutland is in the pipeline.

"Thanks to the Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund (CCLF) Government funding, delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund, has helped us expand the Rutland Community Fridges project."

Rutland Community Fridges is brought to you by Root-and-Branch Out CIC, with the support of Alicia Kearns MP and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, The National Lottery Community Fund and now Welly's Work Place with Sunny Skies Enterprise C.I.C.

For now, 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 every Friday.

Find out more, including how to support the scheme, on the Community Fridges Facebook page.