community fridge Allston Brighton - Boston Moms
Photo credit Allston and Brighton Community Fridges

Food insecurity has long been an issue — and a local one, at that. In 2019, roughly 8% of adults in Massachusetts were food insecure. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, this figure has doubled. Many food banks and assistance programs — established long before the pandemic began — have been working overtime to combat this issue. One effort that has taken off since the coronavirus began is community fridges.

Community fridges are located in public spaces and stocked by volunteers and members of the community. People can take whatever they need — no questions asked. Currently, there are about 200 fridges in the U.S. registered on the Freedge database. Freedge is a network that promotes and supports community fridges globally.

There are several community-based fridges and pantries in and around the Boston area. Most accept the same types of donations: fresh fruits and veggies, dairy products, bread, and pantry staples. Additionally, they accept homemade meals as long as they are labeled with the ingredients and date prepared. In general, raw meats and unlabeled premade food are not accepted.

Not only are these fridges and pantries constantly relying on donations from the community, they depend on volunteer efforts to keep things running smoothly. Volunteering for your local community fridge can range from checking and cleaning regularly, doing food drives, offering community outreach, providing translation services, picking up and delivering food donated by local restaurants, and managing social media.

There are neighborhoods and communities currently working to get fridges or searching for sponsors to supply an outlet. Hyde Park, for one, is looking for volunteers to help get their fridge up and running. They have set up a Go Fund Me page for construction materials, cleaning and sanitation supplies, and monthly utilities to keep the fridge running.

If you are interested in getting involved with establishing a fridge and pantry in an area in need of one, start with a Google or social media search to find out if your neighborhood is in need of support for a community fridge. Volunteering or providing donations regularly to community fridges and pantries is a great way to get involved in your neighborhood and to show solidarity during this time.

Want to find a Boston-area community fridge near you? Check this list to find contact information and social media pages — and learn how you can volunteer, provide donations, or benefit from a community fridge in your area.

Lesley Moreau
Lesley grew up in New Bedford, MA, came to Boston for college, and stuck around. She holds a master's degree in criminal justice and an MFA in creative writing. Lesley is a playwright and has had her work produced in Boston, New York, New Hampshire, Virginia, and Texas. Lesley lives in Dorchester with her husband and 3-year-old son. She is a proud and unapologetic "one and done" mom. Lesley loves traveling, true crime docs and inspired scripted series, reading, coffee, face masks, and family game nights.