Environmental charity, the Hubbub Foundation has opened a further round of its Community Fridge Fund. A Community Fridge is a space where everyone can share surplus food, including donations from local food businesses, producers, households and gardens. 50 awards are usually available in each round.
This round of the Community Fridge Fund aims to develop 50 Community Fridges into Food Hubs that can support even more community food-based activities that will bring local people together and provide access to healthy, affordable and sustainable food.
The Hubbub Foundation coordinates the world’s largest Community Fridge Network with over 350 fridges across the UK to date. Hubbub have partnered with Co-op with the aim of funding 500 fridges by the end of 2023. A map showing the locations of Community Fridge projects is available on Hubbub’s website (scroll down the page to the map).
Once set up, groups become part of the 350+ member strong Community Fridge Network which helps redistribute surplus food from businesses and households within the community, saving it from going to waste and bringing people together. Anyone and everyone can share and gift from a Community Fridge.
The Community Fridge Network also offers free guidance and a wealth of resources to groups wanting to set up their own community fridge, including comprehensive support, design assets, peer support, health and safety templates as well as discounted fridges and freezers.
Each successful Food Hub applicant will receive a grant of £7,000. This will consist of £5,000 towards costs of setting up the Hub, followed by an additional £2,000 one year after opening.
Grants can be used for:
o Community Fridge volunteer expenses.
o Insurance for the Food Hub.
o Print display materials.
o Purchasing fridge/freezer(s).
o Relevant training (food hygiene, safeguarding).
o Staffing costs for the Community Fridge, and/or
o Utilities relating to the Community Fridge (water, electricity).
Funding is not available for:
o Anyone applying on behalf of another organisation.
o Companies aimed at generating profits for private distribution.
o Individuals.
o Organisations based outside the United Kingdom, or
o Organisations without at least two unconnected people on the board or committee.
For further information, guidance, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and to access the online application form, please visit the Hubbub Foundation website.
The deadline for applications is 23:59 on Wednesday 31st May 2023.
