VOLUNTEERS from the Courtenay Centre have been hard at work this week ensuring the fridge that sits just outside the building’s entrance is kept fully stocked and functioning for local residents.

The Community Fridge aims to tackle food waste while providing a help hand to those in need.

The scheme salvages surplus food from local shops and supermarkets, which would otherwise be thrown away, and makes it available to the public free of charge and reduces food waste in the process.

Newton Abbot welcomed its first Community Fridge in May of last year and since then volunteers have been working tirelessly to ensure that the fridge is always well provisioned with all manner of goods.

This week two volunteers made the trip to the Co-op at Hele Barton, Newton Abbot, to collect food the supermarket had set aside for the Community Fridge.

The pair, one of whom, Monica Trist, has been lending a hand ever since the start, returned with food aplenty: avocados, tomatoes, butternut squash, spring onions and more.

Alongside Monica was Adele Thomas, whose trip to the Co-op was her first on behalf of the project.

Adele said: ‘I initially used the fridge myself personally but having seen through Facebook that they were looking for volunteers I decided to help

‘I think it’s brilliant.’

Individuals can also make private donations themselves and these are encouraged and greatly appreciated by the team at the Courtenay Centre.

Food items which are ideal are: fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy goods such as milk, cheese and yogurts, eggs, juices, sauces and chilled products such as desserts.

For items to be stocked in the fridge they must be undamaged, unopened and within the use-by-date on the label.

It is important to mention that some items cannot be accepted and should not be donated; meat, fish and meat-based products, baby food and beansprouts, home cooked foods, unpasteurised dairy products, alcohol and/or products which contain alcohol.

An endeavour like this is only viable thanks to the efforts of volunteers and anyone who would like to get involved should email