Toddington Community Fridge is a volunteer-run food sustainability initiative open to everyone. Its focus is on preventing good food from going to waste, and our church is proud to host and support Mid Bedfordshire Community Fridge CIC in providing the service each week.
Our Saturday morning stall usually offers a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, and cakes; what’s available depends on what has been donated. All food is free. We are not a traditional food bank, although we stock a modest community larder containing dry goods to support anyone in need—speak to our team if you need this. Please follow our social media for updates! Although we are not a food bank, we aim to assist local people affected by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, especially working families.
How does it work?
Do you charge for food?
We don’t charge for food but must fundraise to cover our running costs, including insurance, fuel, food safety compliance training, and hall hire. We are all volunteers, and all contributions go towards running the service and supporting local people in need.
You can donate using cash or contactless in person or online through Sumup here.
Alternatively, you can make a bank transfer to Mid Bedfordshire Community Fridge CIC, 08-92-99, 67398072.
We couldn’t provide this service without the generous support we receive from the community, so thank you to everyone who donates.
Where does the food come from?
We work with Flitwick Town Council, which runs the Flitwick Community Fridge Food Hub at The Rufus Centre. The Food Hub collects, sorts, and redistributes surplus food donated by local businesses and charities. Each week, food is delivered to Toddington (you’ll see some of our volunteers in the white pickup truck) to share with Toddington residents. Much of our food has been donated by Tesco Flitwick and Waitrose Ampthill.
Who runs the service?
The service is run by a not-for-profit community interest company called Mid Bedfordshire Community Fridge CIC, which was set up specifically to run this service. Our four directors (Bridget Chevalier, Andy Crawford, Lyn Barrett and Andy Snape) are legally responsible for the service, including food compliance, insurance, health and safety, etc. We are grateful to St George’s Parish Church for its continuing support.
We are registered as a food business, and you can find our food hygiene rating here.
Can I volunteer?
We’re currently recruiting volunteers to help us run the service, which includes unloading the truck, sorting and preparing food for the stall and serving clients.
We ideally need you to be able to help lift and carry trays of food weighing between 5 kg and 15kg.
Everyone on our team also needs a Level 1 Food Hygiene Certificate, which we pay for.
Please drop us an email at [email protected] if you’d like to help.
Do you offer volunteering opportunities for young people?
As a community group, we recognise the value of offering volunteering opportunities for young people. All volunteers must be 16 or older, but we are investigating how we can accommodate 14 and 15-year-olds working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award. We will update this page shortly.
Can I donate food?
We welcome donations to the community fridge from local businesses and residents, including surplus produce from gardens and allotments, but we have strict rules to follow.
We can only accept fruit, vegetables, and dry goods in sealed packets from residents. If you want to donate, ask a team member to accept and weigh your unwanted food. You can do this in Toddington on Saturday morning or at Flitwick Community Fridge.
We are keen to partner with local businesses that wish to make regular or one-off food donations. Please get in touch with [email protected] to discuss this further.
Our Saturday morning stall usually offers a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, and cakes; what’s available depends on what has been donated. All food is free. We are not a traditional food bank, although we stock a modest community larder containing dry goods to support anyone in need—speak to our team if you need this. Please follow our social media for updates! Although we are not a food bank, we aim to assist local people affected by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, especially working families.
How does it work?
- Everyone is welcome to visit and select up to 3kg of food per household in a single bag.
- Some items are one or two per household; please note the signage.
- We’ll weigh your food as you leave; the only data we collect is your postcode.
- Flitwick Community Fridge is also open to Toddington residents, but please do not visit both outlets on Saturday mornings.
- Please do not arrive at the hall before 09:10 to allow our volunteers to bring in the delivery unobstructed.
Do you charge for food?
We don’t charge for food but must fundraise to cover our running costs, including insurance, fuel, food safety compliance training, and hall hire. We are all volunteers, and all contributions go towards running the service and supporting local people in need.
You can donate using cash or contactless in person or online through Sumup here.
Alternatively, you can make a bank transfer to Mid Bedfordshire Community Fridge CIC, 08-92-99, 67398072.
We couldn’t provide this service without the generous support we receive from the community, so thank you to everyone who donates.
Where does the food come from?
We work with Flitwick Town Council, which runs the Flitwick Community Fridge Food Hub at The Rufus Centre. The Food Hub collects, sorts, and redistributes surplus food donated by local businesses and charities. Each week, food is delivered to Toddington (you’ll see some of our volunteers in the white pickup truck) to share with Toddington residents. Much of our food has been donated by Tesco Flitwick and Waitrose Ampthill.
Who runs the service?
The service is run by a not-for-profit community interest company called Mid Bedfordshire Community Fridge CIC, which was set up specifically to run this service. Our four directors (Bridget Chevalier, Andy Crawford, Lyn Barrett and Andy Snape) are legally responsible for the service, including food compliance, insurance, health and safety, etc. We are grateful to St George’s Parish Church for its continuing support.
We are registered as a food business, and you can find our food hygiene rating here.
Can I volunteer?
We’re currently recruiting volunteers to help us run the service, which includes unloading the truck, sorting and preparing food for the stall and serving clients.
We ideally need you to be able to help lift and carry trays of food weighing between 5 kg and 15kg.
Everyone on our team also needs a Level 1 Food Hygiene Certificate, which we pay for.
Please drop us an email at [email protected] if you’d like to help.
Do you offer volunteering opportunities for young people?
As a community group, we recognise the value of offering volunteering opportunities for young people. All volunteers must be 16 or older, but we are investigating how we can accommodate 14 and 15-year-olds working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award. We will update this page shortly.
Can I donate food?
We welcome donations to the community fridge from local businesses and residents, including surplus produce from gardens and allotments, but we have strict rules to follow.
We can only accept fruit, vegetables, and dry goods in sealed packets from residents. If you want to donate, ask a team member to accept and weigh your unwanted food. You can do this in Toddington on Saturday morning or at Flitwick Community Fridge.
We are keen to partner with local businesses that wish to make regular or one-off food donations. Please get in touch with [email protected] to discuss this further.
St George of England Parish Church, Church Square, Toddington, Bedfordshire, LU5 6BP.
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