Community Fridge handover

A Council project to prevent food waste is in new hands as it celebrates a year of successfully saving almost two tonnes of produce from being wasted. 

Glen Parva Community Fridge has been taken over by the local Parish Council after an official transfer. 

The initiative, aimed at making effective use of surplus food, was set up by Blaby District Council last April, running every Tuesday afternoon at Glen Parva Memorial Hall. 

Based in Glen Hills Library and the Park Cafe, the Community Fridge has flourished with enthusiastic volunteers and a broad range of grocery items on offer, including items from Aldi and donations from locals. 

More than 1932 kg of produce has been saved from landfill with some 2,763 visitors coming through the doors, welcomed by a core of nine volunteers. 

Now the Community Fridge will be among the services provided by Glen Parva Parish Council itself in the Memorial Hall, alongside the library and café. 

It will be business as usual with no change to the opening times of 2.30pm to 4pm. Recipe cards are available to help transform the most random items into delicious delights, while a range of information and tips, including food storage and usage dates, offer a holistic approach to reducing food waste. 

Councillor Stan Sidorowicz, Chairman of Glen Parva Parish Council, said: "When we were asked if we could accommodate a Community Fridge last year it was originally as a trial but it has become incredibly popular. We’re very happy to take it on and welcome those involved into our own family of volunteers. It’s a great addition to what we already do in the community."

Fellow Parish Councillor Izzy Amertash, a committed volunteer since the fridge launched, has been appointed the project’s new volunteer co-ordinator. She added: "I think everyone is looking forward to taking it on and running with it. When the Community Fridge first opened it was quite a new concept and people were confusing it with a Foodbank. Often people would say ‘I don’t need to use a Foodbank’. So we’ve been re-educating people that this is an environmental project and you are saving usable food from landfill. 

"Local people who may not get through a whole bag of apples, tomatoes or potatoes will pop in and just take the one or two items they need. It’s been really successful from that perspective." 

Blaby District Council Executive Director for Place, Marc Greenwood, said: “Glen Parva Community Fridge has been a tremendous success, looking to reduce food waste as much as possible. I’m really proud to see the handover to Glen Parva Parish Council and am sure it will continue to go from strength to strength.” 

* New volunteers are always welcomed – if you would like to help out you can contact Glen Parva Parish Council at manager@glenparvaparishcouncil.org.uk or call 0116 2771450.