We welcomed 118 people in July to our Community Fridge, based at The Hive in Park Barn, which is open to all residents across the borough.

Our Community Fridge, based at The Hive in Park Barn, is open to all residents across the borough.

From Monday to Friday, 10am-3pm, locals can collect food essentials at no cost or can drop donations to support other people in the community.

Lead Councillor for Community, Cllr Julia McShane says:

“The Community Fridge helps us to reduce food waste in the borough and celebrate the sharing of quality food with all the community. The Community Fridge offers fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy products, bakery items and cupboard essentials. These products are available for anyone to collect, free of charge.

“We are very grateful for the support of the Guildford branches of ALDI, M&S and Waitrose, as well as local business Cheesman Bros Ltd. They help us to keep the fridge well stocked.

“We also welcome donations – if you have any spare dried goods, or some extra fruit and veg left over that you don’t need, please drop it off at The Hive during opening hours.”

Rosie, who lives in Tongham, has collected and donated produce to the Community Fridge. She says:

“I am very grateful for support offered throughout the pandemic. I have travelled over today to give back and donate some items to the fridge and also take some delicious fresh items for my own use.”

When visiting the Community Fridge, we ask all our visitors to please follow the new government recommendations and continue to wear a mask, sanitise their hands and keep a distance from those not in their family.

If you are collecting food, we kindly ask that you only take what you need and bring a re-usable bag where possible.

If you have any queries about the Community Fridge, please give the Community Wellbeing Team a call on 01483 444150 or email Community.Wellbeing@guildford.gov.uk.

You can find us at The Hive, Park Barn Drive, GU2 8EN (just behind Kings College Guildford). There is free parking, or you can use bus routes 1, 4, 5, 17 to visit us.

You can keep up-to-date with what’s on at The Hive by visiting our website or by following the Community Wellbeing team’s Facebook page.