The average UK family wastes £810 a year by throwing away food and drink, while four million people are living in food poverty.
Working alongside the support of environmental charity Hubbub UK, Birtley Community Centre is set to combat food waste in the community.
The Community Fridge will be open on assigned days to enable residents and businesses to share surplus food for anyone to help themselves to quality food that would otherwise be wasted.
Every week the centre receives donations from local supermarkets Greggs and Marks and Spencer which are currently helping up to 50 people a week.
Carol Smith, development worker at Birtley Community Centre, is hoping to help more people in her community and is passionate about addressing food waste in her area.
She said: “In the past neighbours would ask each other if they could make use of something they may have been throwing out, let’s bring that back!
“I believe that the centre can become a hub for managing local food waste and it will not only support local people but also address the issue of food wastage that's happening across the country
“A lot of food is wasted by local business and in our own homes every day. Just think that this could help someone else.
“I would love to be able to start to provide more frozen goods to residents as at the moment we can only store food such as bread and pasties.”
The community centre aims to spread awareness about food waste to residents and local business in the local area.
Local resident Katie Tulip, 23, is delighted about the new community fridge being introduced into her community.
She said: "Having a community fridge sounds a fantastic idea for the community. It allows people and businesses to donate their unwanted food and give it to others in need.”
Most food waste in the UK is avoidable and could have been eaten had it been better managed.
Hubbub set up the Community Fridge project to provide free advice and support as well as acting as a hub to enable communities to share their experiences and learn from each other.
As well as reducing food waste, the Community Fridge encourages a spirit of sharing, can help strengthen community bonds and increase local activities.
There are over 64 Community Fridges open across the UK that helps thousands connect to their communities, access nutritious food, save money and reduce waste.
A spokesperson form Hubbub UK said: “Anyone can turn up to get fresh food provided by local people and business. It gives people a chance to meet their neighbours and to unite together as a community.”
The fridge is one of a growing number opening up across the UK. The concept first arrived in the UK in 2016 with Community Fridges opening up in Swadlincote, Frome and London.
Birtley Community Centre is calling for all local food businesses and residents to donate surplus food.
If you are a local business or resident who wants to get involved please contact the community centre on 0191 4102343, or email at birtleycommunityassociation@yahoo.co.uk
