OUR MISSION
Fight food insecurity, reduce food waste, & support the community.
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Opened in April 2022, the Fredericksburg Free Fridge & Pantry serves to fight food insecurity, reduce food waste, and support the greater Fredericksburg community by sourcing food donations from individuals and organizations.
The United States wastes 40 million tons of food each year, while over 42 million Americans are simultaneously experiencing food insecurity – the lack of consistent access to food to live a healthy, active life.
The Fredericksburg Free Fridge & Pantry aims to address the issues of food waste and food insecurity by tackling them both at the same time, collecting surplus food to prevent further waste and providing it free of charge to those experiencing food insecurity.
The United States wastes 40 million tons of food each year, while over 42 million Americans are simultaneously experiencing food insecurity – the lack of consistent access to food to live a healthy, active life.
The Fredericksburg Free Fridge & Pantry aims to address the issues of food waste and food insecurity by tackling them both at the same time, collecting surplus food to prevent further waste and providing it free of charge to those experiencing food insecurity.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Located in our Upper Garden, anyone can leave food donations or take food at anytime, as long as they follow the Fridge & Pantry Guidelines.
The fridge is outfitted with safety locks, wireless thermometers that notify our team's cell phones if the temperatures in the fridge start to warm, and a camera for extra safety. Visitors can now access a guest Wifi hotspot in the Upper Garden. Our volunteer Free Fridge Heroes monitor the fridge and help the project run smoothly, cleanly, and safely. A volunteer will be by daily to ensure that the fridge and pantries are clean, and that all available food is safe for consumption.
Everything donated must be sealed and labeled. Any community member is welcome to stop by the fridge and pantry at any time and leave items they wish to donate!
The fridge is outfitted with safety locks, wireless thermometers that notify our team's cell phones if the temperatures in the fridge start to warm, and a camera for extra safety. Visitors can now access a guest Wifi hotspot in the Upper Garden. Our volunteer Free Fridge Heroes monitor the fridge and help the project run smoothly, cleanly, and safely. A volunteer will be by daily to ensure that the fridge and pantries are clean, and that all available food is safe for consumption.
Everything donated must be sealed and labeled. Any community member is welcome to stop by the fridge and pantry at any time and leave items they wish to donate!
Find us
The Fridge
The Free Fridge & Pantry is located on the corner of Princess Anne St. & Dixon St. in downtown Fredericksburg, VA 22401, in the Downtown Greens Upper Garden.
The Fridge & Pantry is open 24/7, 365 to the public for donating and accessing food, no appointment needed.
The Market
Donations are also collected for the Fridge every 2nd & 4th Saturday at the Fredericksburg Farmers Market in Hurkamp Park, from 7am – 1pm during the farmers market season.
Donations can be brought from home or purchased there at the market from some of our local farmers. All donations are brought directly to the Fridge after the market.
Social Media
Follow us online on both Instagram and Facebook. You’ll find updates about the fridge and pantry, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and more.
The Free Fridge & Pantry is located on the corner of Princess Anne St. & Dixon St. in downtown Fredericksburg, VA 22401, in the Downtown Greens Upper Garden.
The Fridge & Pantry is open 24/7, 365 to the public for donating and accessing food, no appointment needed.
The Market
Donations are also collected for the Fridge every 2nd & 4th Saturday at the Fredericksburg Farmers Market in Hurkamp Park, from 7am – 1pm during the farmers market season.
Donations can be brought from home or purchased there at the market from some of our local farmers. All donations are brought directly to the Fridge after the market.
Social Media
Follow us online on both Instagram and Facebook. You’ll find updates about the fridge and pantry, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and more.
what does the pantry stock?
Freezer
Uncooked meats are available in the freezer along with other frozen meals. We do not accept seafood donations.
Fridge
Eggs, milk, cheese, produce and other perishable items are available in the fridge. While we cannot accept homemade foods, partnering local businesses like Mo's City Soups provide delicious, healthful meals.
Pantry
The pantry section is for non-perishable items such as canned and dried goods. We do not accept any non-food items at this time.
Uncooked meats are available in the freezer along with other frozen meals. We do not accept seafood donations.
Fridge
Eggs, milk, cheese, produce and other perishable items are available in the fridge. While we cannot accept homemade foods, partnering local businesses like Mo's City Soups provide delicious, healthful meals.
Pantry
The pantry section is for non-perishable items such as canned and dried goods. We do not accept any non-food items at this time.
ways to donate
Donate Food
Food can be donated to the Free Fridge & Pantry any day, any time, no appointment needed.
Individuals can donate any quality store-bought items such as produce, milk, eggs, bread, frozen meats, dried pasta and beans, canned soups and meats, ready-to-heat/eat meals and snacks, and beverages. Home-grown/raised produce and eggs can also be donated.
Licensed restaurants/caterers/farmers/grocers/etc. can donate surplus product, pre-made meals, etc. as long as all donations (except whole produce) are sealed and dated.
Read the full guidelines for donating food in our Fridge & Pantry Guidelines.
Parking is available directly in front of the Free Fridge on Dixon Street or along Princess Anne Street.
Donate Funds
Monetary donations are used for things such as maintaining the fridge and pantries, supplying food, and holding food donation/distribution events.
If you would like to make a monetary donation to the Free Fridge & Pantry, follow the link below and select “Free Fridge & Pantry” from the drop-down menu:
Food can be donated to the Free Fridge & Pantry any day, any time, no appointment needed.
Individuals can donate any quality store-bought items such as produce, milk, eggs, bread, frozen meats, dried pasta and beans, canned soups and meats, ready-to-heat/eat meals and snacks, and beverages. Home-grown/raised produce and eggs can also be donated.
Licensed restaurants/caterers/farmers/grocers/etc. can donate surplus product, pre-made meals, etc. as long as all donations (except whole produce) are sealed and dated.
Read the full guidelines for donating food in our Fridge & Pantry Guidelines.
Parking is available directly in front of the Free Fridge on Dixon Street or along Princess Anne Street.
Donate Funds
Monetary donations are used for things such as maintaining the fridge and pantries, supplying food, and holding food donation/distribution events.
If you would like to make a monetary donation to the Free Fridge & Pantry, follow the link below and select “Free Fridge & Pantry” from the drop-down menu:
how can i get involved?
Click here to become a Free Fridge Hero!
The Fredericksburg Free Fridge & Pantry runs on the power of our volunteers, without whom none of this would be possible. Our volunteers help to maintain the fridge and pantries, assist in food donation/distribution events, interface with the public, and more.
To learn more about our volunteer opportunities, contact freefridge@downtowngreens.org.
For more information about the Free Fridge and Pantry, e-mail freefridge@downtowngreens.org
The Fredericksburg Free Fridge & Pantry runs on the power of our volunteers, without whom none of this would be possible. Our volunteers help to maintain the fridge and pantries, assist in food donation/distribution events, interface with the public, and more.
To learn more about our volunteer opportunities, contact freefridge@downtowngreens.org.
For more information about the Free Fridge and Pantry, e-mail freefridge@downtowngreens.org