Hayling Island Community Centre Pantry

Community Fridge launches on Hayling Island as part of Co-op and Hubbub’s commitment to expand network across the UK

Aims to reduce food waste and bring community together

The first Community Fridge on Hayling Island was officially launched last month by Hayling Island Community Centre Association, supported by the environmental charity Hubbub, as part of a new partnership with Co-op to fast-track the expansion of Hubbub’s Community Fridge Network across the UK. 

The Community Fridge, which is located in the foyer at Hayling Library, Elm Grove, is one of 100 new community fridges that will be opened over the next year, which are expected to save 6.8 million meals per year from going to waste. 

The Community fridge is a waste prevention and food sharing scheme and is open to everyone on Hayling without any need to be referred or having to prove eligibility - to access fresh food that would otherwise have gone to waste.  

The fridge will enable residents and local businesses to share surplus food and for anyone to help themselves to quality food that would otherwise be wasted. This is a separate scheme to the Community Centre’s food pantry, also situated in a room at the library, which is only open to members needing food support. Both schemes will work closely together to help tackle food poverty and reduce food waste. 

The new fridge builds on the success of the existing 150 fridges in the Community Fridge Network, which redistribute on average of almost 6,000 meals per fridge each month. 

Tania Jones from Hayling Island Community Centre said: “Community Fridges are a wonderful concept and we’re delighted to host the first for Hayling. All our visitors are welcome to get involved, whether by giving or receiving food or coming along to library to find out more”

Steve Murrells, Co-op Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “Thanks to our members and customers, we’re delighted to be partnering with Hubbub to expand its community fridge network into [area]. It’s an innovative scheme to bring communities together, empowering people towards community-led food solutions that will help to build community resilience.