Chet Valley Community Larder

About Chet Valley Community Larder

The Chet Valley Community Larder & Fridge is an open access food and drink provision to support local people in need. The Community Larder & Fridge tackles food poverty, promotes sharing food and reduces food waste.
The Community Larder & Fridge opened on 1st September 2022. There has been a huge demand for supplies from the community. Due to the cost of living crisis, rising energy bills and food inflation there is a very obvious need for free food supplies in the community.
Loddon Parish Council is the lead organisation for the Chet Valley Community Larder & Fridge, working in partnership with Chedgrave Parish Council and Chet Valley Churches Together. A team of 20+ volunteers manage the Community Larder & Fridge.
Donations of food and drink are received from local residents, organisations and businesses; with donations arriving and people taking food free to do so at any time during the day, seven days a week. The Community Larder & Fridge is run on an open access basis with no referrals or registration required, therefore no barriers. There is a very large and fast turnover of food items, with the Community Larder & Fridge shelves emptied of supplies every day.
The Community Larder & Fridge supports a whole cross-section of residents representing the entire community including people of all ages, particularly families and older people; also working and unemployed people, people with disabilities and people with short-term illnesses or issues that have caused difficulties and the need to access free food.
The Community Larder & Fridge provides a point where people in need can also access information about support and help available from other organisations.