In 2020, we reported that Birmingham was to join cities across the UK in hosting a ‘community fridge’, provided by students taking part in the UpRising environmental leadership programme, preserving food that would otherwise be wasted. 

It was to be housed in the Peace Hub in Bull St where individuals and businesses could drop off food that would otherwise be binned…

In 2023 Dawn Mason, Trustee at Bartley Green & Northfield Community Fridge, wrote to say that the Peace Hub Community Fridge never actually opened and the first community fridge in Birmingham is Bartley Green & Northfield Community Fridge. Dawn designed a leaflet for their fund-raising appeal. 

She writes:

We opened in April 2023 and were sited at the rear of 26-30 Hillwood Road.

Everyone was welcome, no referrals, no vouchers, just a need for help. We supply FREE pet food to help keep pets with their families, VIA Blue Cross & Pets at Home donations. Free baby food, vitamins & women’s vitamins post delivery. We also have a small supply of free feminine products under Period Poverty.

We also accept donations of unwanted food from the public as well as regular donations from supermarkets and food outlets.

This year, however, Dawn wrote to say that the Community Fridge had to move out of the Bartley Green Community Hub as it was said that the space was needed for another project.

They are still looking for a new venue nearby but funds are very limited. Until then food parcels are being handed out from the boot of Dawn’s car, mainly tins/dry food and whatever else has been donated on Tuesday 12-1 pm &Thursday 11-12pm, on the car park at the rear of the Hillwood shops.

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