I would love to see a “community fridge” in Indian Rocks Beach! I’m inspired by the many already in existence, from Palm Harbor to Miami to Fellsmere (Indian River County), from Atlanta to Louisiana, from Pennsylvania to Cape Cod. And so many more! (The Fellsmere Fridge graphic shown above is a great example of how a community fridge works. They have three, with a fourth on the way.)
Community fridges, or free fridges, are what the name implies. Like free libraries, community fridges are places to take and receive food – open all hours. Many fridge setups also include pantry shelves for nonperishables. In turn, those in need can take what they’d like. (Yes, they’re legal!)
Indian Rocks Beach, like any resort area, has so much unused food that vacationers can’t or don’t want to take home with them. I’ve witnessed this many times over during my occasional food drives at the Reef Club condo complex. When I approach departing vacationers, I’ve been given so many fresh and non-perishables items — and that’s just at one place on one morning. Imagine how much food is being thrown out daily in our little coastal community?
For those of you thinking, “Just leave it for the cleaners,” it is not realistic to think that cleaners are taking and using all these items. Especially here in Florida! Unless they have a big cooler with ice in their car and a few extra fridges at home, there’s nowhere to even store these items.
I often see Facebook posts from vacationers wondering what to do with their leftover food. For non-perishables, the answer is easy. Take them to the 24/7 donation bin in front of the Beach Community Food Pantry. But only two local pantries, both in Largo, take and distribute perishables, and then only on certain days and times.
Let’s make it easy for folks to donate these leftovers and easy for people who could use them to take them. Reduce waste! Increase donations! I’m looking into this for IRB. Would you like to assist me? I could use the help!