Shared community fridge to be installed in Saddleworth

Saddleworth Parish Council has announced its plans to place a community fridge at "various possible locations" in the borough.

The idea comes from Hubbub, an award-winning environmental charity behind the community fridge network - which boasts more than 600 across the country.

It aims to create space to bring people together to share surplus food, meet up, learn new skills and prevent fresh food from supermarkets and food businesses going to waste.

It will be the third community fridge installed in Oldham - the other two can be found at Trinity Methodist Church, on Radcliffe Street in Royton, and at the Co-op Academy Failsworth, on Brierley Avenue.

Speaking in March last year during the launch of a community fridge in Greenacres, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “Our recent Greater Manchester residents survey found that eight in 10 people say their cost of living has increased over the past month and around 70,000 more households are experiencing food insecurity compared to last spring.

“People are clearly struggling and that’s why projects such as community fridges are so vital in providing a safety net for those who need it.

“This community-led approach can help residents access healthy, nutritious and culturally appropriate food in a dignified way whilst also helping the environment."

Former Oldham Council leader Amanda Chadderton, Co-op managing director Matt Hood and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham at the launch of the Greenacres community fridge last year (Image: Oldham Council)

While the then Oldham Council leader Amanda Chadderton added: “With high costs of living continuing to impact everyone we need to urgently address the issue of food waste and food insecurity.

“In September of 2022, over a quarter of households (nationally) with children experienced food insecurity, which represents over four million children.

“We also know that, shockingly, 27 per cent of UK children are living in poverty, and in Oldham this figure is at almost 40 per cent."

The fridges are open to all and will be operated by community groups, and installed in schools, community centres, churches and so on.