Page 18 - Demo

18 Phonebox Magazine | February 2025Community fridge updateOlney%u2019s local community food initiative moves into its third year this month. And more food and goods than ever are coming and going.When Phonebox Magazine reported on the Community Fridge last year, the council and volunteers were delighted that around 4,700 kg of food had been saved from landfi ll and was making its way into local homes and groups.But since that time and during 2024, more than 13,000 kg of food has been received from donors %u2013 with only 5,500 kg of it unused and going to waste. And most of that goes to farms to be consumed. It%u2019s a wonderful success story for the modest shed situated behind the Olney Centre.Local stores Co-op and Sainsbury%u2019s are among the list of organisations and individuals giving food, with plans to get new outlet Aldi involved this year. A team of 13 volunteers help with the collection of food and also weigh and log it before displaying, while keeping the shed clean and tidy. The only day last year that food wasn%u2019t collected by volunteers was Christmas Day.%u201cMost days the shed will take in 40 to 60 kg of goods,%u201d says Rob Mungham, Olney%u2019s Deputy Clerk. %u201cIt%u2019s mostly bread, but there is also fruit, vegetables, crisps and drinks.%u201dEvery six weeks there is a delivery of %u2018GirlPack%u2019 women%u2019s toiletries, and a new jigsaw swap programme has started, which has proved popular. Regular groups and clubs make use of the facility for their meetings, and the whole concept has proved popular in the town. Rob is keen to point out that it is not just for the needy or low-income families %u2013 everyone is welcome to use the fridge to cut down on waste. %u201cMake use of the shed by all means,%u201d says Rob. %u201cBut please record what you take away.%u201dFor any queries about the Community Fridge contact Rob, deputy@olneytowncouncil.gov.uk.YES PLEASENO THANKS%u2022 Bread%u2022 Cheese%u2022 Tinned food%u2022 Fresh fruit %u2022 Sealed packaged food%u2022 Fresh vegetables%u2022 Table sauces%u2022 Pastry%u2022 Pasteurised milk%u2022 Yoghurt%u2022 Fruit juice%u2022 Salads%u2022 Fresh eggs (with Lion stamp and use-by date)%u2022 Cooked food from home or unregistered source%u2022 Bean sprouts%u2022 Cooked rice%u2022 Raw milk cheese%u2022 Unpasteurised milk%u2022 Pate%u2022 Anything containing the above%u2022 Unlabelled multiple ingredient items