ABERPORTH COMMUNITY FRIDGE - HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

As part of the overarching Heart of the Community project plans to replace the ageing Aberporth Village Hall with a modern energy efficient new building, the Aberporth Community Fridge pilot project will support the installation of a community fridge and the employment of a part-time coordinator.

This pilot project will not only provide evidence of the long term efficacy of the Community fridge but will also support a range of people and help to tackle rural poverty and isolation.

The fridge will initially be run by a part-time co-ordinator helped by a taskforce of volunteers, who shall be responsible for the hygiene, stocking and managing of the fridge. Produce will be collected (by volunteers) from Tesco (and any other local food share supermarket) plus local businesses and the community including surplus garden produce.

To begin with the fridge shall be situated in Canolfan Dyffryn, a community building owned by Aberporth Village Hall. This will be for a temporary period while construction work is carried out on the existing village hall.

The community fridge will enable the development of other activities such as a regular luncheon club for older people plus pop up community suppers and cooking classes. It will also help disadvantaged families access good, healthy food and cut down on food waste.

The facility was opened by local MP Ben Lake in mid-September, 2021. A recruitment campaign for volunteers was launched plus promotion to advertise the fridge in the community. The fridge is now open 5 mornings a week and almost 50 volunteers recruited. A total of 3 tonnes of food has been saved from landfill and more than 400 people have accessed the fridge. It has also inspired other community projects such as the community garden, a computer club and drop in coffee morning. The fridge acts as a hub for the community and has encouraged a sense of community pride and cohesion.

This project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.