the why behind the fridge project
The Bridge is launching a new programme – the FRIDGE project. The fridge will be operating from our café and will be open to anyone and everyone in the community who might want to give or receive food.
what’s the need for the fridge project?
“we’re fucked?! THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN”. Fridge magnet made in craftivism workshop at The Bridge.
Around 1 in 10 people in the UK struggle to get enough to eat, either due to low household income, debt, disability or personal crisis. In recent years, we’ve seen a growing over-reliance on charitable foodbanks, a trend that has been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic and the current cost of living crisis.
The food foundation estimates that in April 2022 a total of 7.3 million adults and 2.6 million children experienced food poverty – with those from minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled and older people being those that are worst affected. Between 01 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, the Trussell Trust Food Bank Network provided more than 2.1 million parcels to people facing financial hardship across the UK, a 14% increase compared to the same period in 2019/2020 – before the pandemic.
And yet, whilst there are 4.7 million people in the UK struggling to put food on the table, reports show that there’s enough food produced globally to feed 9 billion people – approx. 1.5 billion more than the current world population – but a third of all the food is currently being wasted. The system is clearly broken.
At The Bridge, we recognise that food aid organisations and projects that re-distribute surplus food aren’t long-term sustainable solutions to food waste or food poverty. They can’t tackle the structural issues and root causes of a food system that prioritises profit over healthy food for everyone and a socio-economic system that has led to ever rising economic inequality.
Food shouldn’t be a privilege. Food is a basic human right. Everyone has a right to access good quality food which is appropriate to their dietary requirements, age, and cultural background regardless of ethnicity, race, gender, ability, age or any other identity. The right to food means that all government policy and decision making should ensure that all people at all times can afford and access adequate food. The right to food is about removing the need for emergency food banks by tackling the root causes of household food insecurity.
As an Organisation, we’re committed to highlighting the need to end poverty and food waste. We’re committed to campaigns such as the Plenty to Share campaign for systemic solutions to food waste and poverty and the #RightToFood campaign to make government legally accountable to end UK hunger.
“going to sleep hungry is a crime”. Fridge magnet made in Craftivism workshop at The Bridge
so, why the FRIDGE project?
Members of our community have expressed the need for further support in accessing good food. Working with the community means we involve people with direct experience to guide our services and be involved in decision-making. And like our previous BOX-IT project, which delivered around 300 meals a week during the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re seeking to offer support in a dignified and empowering way, moving beyond the traditional food bank model.
The FRIDGE project gives free fresh fruit, veg, and other fridge and store items to anyone who needs support in accessing good food. The fridge is located in our café and open to anyone, offering fresh surplus food donated by The Felix Project, local businesses, and members of the community. It aims to support people to save money, access healthy food, and reduce waste; helping people and the planet.
The FRIDGE works on a ‘take what you want, leave what you can’ basis to bring the community together and support each other whilst also allowing people to choose food in a dignified manner without stigma. With anyone being able to give as well as receive food and with the support of our incredible team of staff and volunteers, the FRIDGE project is the starting point of creating a bigger social space and sharing hub.