Free Fridge SGF
Springfield’s First Community Fridge @ Urban Roots Farm
A We Create 2022 Project!
Want to get involved with the Community Fridge? Check out the options below.
Location: 823 W. State St. Springfield, MO 65806
Duration: Ongoing!
Organized By: Better Block SGF, Urban Roots Farm, and Drury University’s Freedom by Design chapter
Each year, Better Block SGF hosts a community design competition in which community members come together to propose creative solutions to the many challenges facing our city. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of issues swept our community, one of which being food insecurity. Members of the community, including some from West Central, saw this need in Springfield and decided to act. It was determined that a community fridge would be an “immediate” solution to help address not only food insecurity, but food waste as well.
In 2022, the Better Block We Create design challenge was curated to receive creative solutions for the community fridge concept. Now in 2023, we present Springfield’s first community fridge!
What is a Community Fridge?
A community fridge is a public fridge with the motto, “Take what you want, leave what you can.” It is a grassroots response and a form of mutual aid to address the food insecurity and food waste crises in the community. Being food insecure means that a community is faced with the “uncertainty of having, or unable to acquire, enough food due to insufficient money or other resources.” Community fridges can also help the community gain access to fresh fruits and vegetables, something they might not be able to afford in a store. The end goal of the community fridge is to provide safe and consistent access to food for anyone who needs it.
How do we use it?
The fridge truly follows the motto of take what you need, leave what you can. You can stop by and pick up food at any time, day or night. When you are able, leave whatever donations you can (within the guidelines). The fridge also has a large freezer section and a space for pantry items. If you’d like updates on what is available and what is needed, follow us on Instagram @freefridgespringfield.
To check out the donation guidelines, click here.