A NEW sign has been unveiled – highlighting the presence of a community fridge to help residents in Crewkerne.

Open Doors Somerset has got a new banner outside the George Reynolds Centre, between Henhayes and the Aqua Centre, giving details of the fridge.

The group – which is celebrating its fifth year this month – initially started out to divert food waste from landfill, while providing free food to the residents of Crewkerne and surrounding villages.

The Community Fridge – staffed by volunteers from Open Doors Somerset – is open three times a week, and collects food from Waitrose, Lidl and Sainsbury’s in Chard.

In June 2025, Open Doors Somerset (previously the Crewkerne Community Kitchen) saved 1,966kg of food, with 415 visitors to the Community Fridge.

Last year saw 16,265kg of food being diverted from waste.

“With more and more people being careful about their household spending, while at the same time offering up a sustainable and proactive solution to food waste from supermarkets, the Community Fridge offers up a simple solution,” a spokesperson said.

“Unlike Food Banks, the Community Fridge is not income assessed, so residents of the town can simply come along and pick up what they feel they need.

“As well as taking the pressure off financially, the Community Fridge provides a social element. One regular attendee said, “you get chatting in the queue – you get to know people. You build up that camaraderie when you see people around the town”.”

The Crewkerne Community Fridge is open three days a week

With support from organisations like CAG Somerset and Hubbub, the Community Fridge also provides simple tips and tricks on how best to avoid food waste – such as using your freezer more – or promoting recipes using items that regularly pop up, such as bread.

Another activity Open Doors Somerset run is Chop & Chat sessions that aim to utilise any food left from the Community Fridge while helping people cook and eat together.

The sessions will be starting back up again in September at the Speedwell Centre.

The Community Fridge is open on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at the George Reynolds Centre.

For full details regarding timings, as well as keeping up to date with activities, visit opendoorssomerset.org.uk/activities.