Our Journey

The community fridge was set up in 2019 and originally started as an actual fridge under cover on
Moorland Road. It was a space where residents could share and access surplus food from allotments and local food businesses with the main mission being reducing food waste and sharing surplus.

Then we entered into unprecedented times as the Covid-19 pandemic struck. In March 2020, the Fridge
quickly repurposed to provide deliveries of food surplus to those who were shielding and in need of
additional support.

With the support of Witney Town Council and The Witney Land Army, the operation moved to The Corn
Exchange where deliveries continued to operate on Wednesdays and Thursdays and the Fridge also
opened to the public during the week.

In April 2020, the Fridge formalised by becoming a community action group and once initial lockdown
restrictions were lifted, we made the move to The Wesley Room.

A year on the operation has evolved significantly. We have built strong relationships within our community
and in the last year we have collected approximately 50 tonnes of surplus food and served over 1,000 visitors.

The operations continue to grow and April 2021 saw the launch of our community larder creating even
more sustainability for our community and our journey to drive zero waste.