Now here’s another take on the idea: a community fridge. Julia Gellman, a Masters student at UBC, explains: “the concept of a community fridge is that people leave what they want and take what they need . It’s a place to exchange food for free. Like a lending library, but more delicious.” Community Fridges have been around for a while, with several popping up in Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver in response to the pandemic.

Over the past few weeks, Beth Dempster at Convivial Café (680 Leg-in-Boot Square) has been collaborating with a student group that includes Julia, fellow students Erica Ellis, Kelly Chessman and Kelly Davies, and CityStudio. The intent in piloting the Community Fridge is to help address food insecurity and food waste in the False Creek South neighbourhood. While Convivial is not a “public space” per se, Julia notes that “the fridge is available for anyone to come in and take/leave food, without purchasing anything.”

Milk, cheese, fruit and veg… healthy food available in the Community Fridge for anyone who needs it.

As Julia notes: “With 1 in 9 households in BC experiencing food insecurity, and 40% of food produced being wasted or lost – it’s clear that there is a gap in our local food system… The pandemic has demonstrated that countless individuals are also keen to support those in need. The Community Fridge project aims to enhance and amplify such mutual aid.”

The Community Fridge pilot project will run until Dec 25, and will engage community to support public access to food resources. Stop by and check it out!

For feedback or questions about the fridge, please contact Beth at Convivial Cafe (convivialcafe@gmail.com). For feedback, questions or general resources on community fridges – or to start your own community fridge – check out this website or contact: risingtides604@gmail.com.

With files and photos courtesy of Julia Gellman.

Story updated on December 23, 2020.

Likewise, people are prone to becoming more disconnected with nature as cities are urbanizing at a rapid rate. People are spending more time indoors, surrounded by man-made environments; thus being in nature is becoming less of a daily interaction.

Everett Crowley Park, Avalon pond

It’s not until recently where being part of CityStudio and learning in the outdoors, has reminded me of my childhood years. I remember how excited I was when I was in nature and being present in the now. I believe being connected to nature has never been so important as we live in rapidly urbanizing cities. Outdoor learning reminds me to treasure and appreciate the abundance of parks and green spaces in Vancouver that contributes to our well being. This stirs up curiosity and a stewardship attitude towards sustaining our natural environment. As I go for morning walks in trails and parks, I love how there is a sense of exploration and discovery of hidden trails. I love closing my eyes and being present in the now, listening intently to different birds singing, and seeing butterflies fly by. The trees that loom above me in every direction leave me in awe of how beautiful they are. I’m so fortunate to live in a city with such a majestic natural environment. It has brought back my child like joy of the outdoors and valuing the greenspaces in our city.