A small army of kindness

More Than Just a Fridge

How Love Dereham Community Fridge Is Feeding a Community and Fighting Food Waste

By Angela Carpenter, Co-op East Of England Community Support Lead.

When I visited the community fridge run by Love Dereham, tucked away behind Green Pastures Bookshop on Norwich Street, I didn’t know what I expected to see and was so moved by what I found — a simple, grassroots project that’s making a real difference. They were recipients of the East of England Co-op Community Cares Fund back in February 2024 and very deserving.

The fridge opened a couple of years ago. At first glance, the idea was straightforward, to collect good food that would otherwise go to waste and make it freely available to anyone who needs it. The initial aim of the project was environmental but it ended up being so much more than that.

What started as a way to tackle food waste has become a lifeline for individuals and families across Dereham. No forms to fill in, no questions asked just food, freely available, in a warm and welcoming space.

I visited with my colleague Oli Drury and a couple of our Directors Maria Veronese and Martin Catchpole and we all agreed that the beauty of the community fridge is its openness. It’s there for everyone. Whether someone’s struggling to make ends meet, trying to stretch a tight budget,

or simply passionate about reducing waste, they’re welcomed. The fridge is stocked daily with surplus food donated by local supermarkets, bakeries, and businesses.

We met with Athena Poole who explained that people who visit the community fridge are at risk of loneliness or social isolation. The fridge has developed to become a welcoming space where people can meet others, share experiences and knowledge, feel connected and be sign posted to

other charities and services to get additional support. It was impressive to hear how interconnected the local charities are and how they share their expertise and work together to ensure that their clients are given the best care and support possible.

Each week, dozens of people benefit from what’s available. Volunteers help collect, sort, and make sure the food is safe and fresh. It's a small army of kindness quietly keeping this project running. The fridge might be small, but the ripple effects are big. Less food waste. More support for those who need it. A stronger, more connected community. And the reminder that sometimes, change starts with something as simple as a fridge in the back of a bookshop.