Rise of community fridge networks promoting food accessibility in Amman

AMMAN — Community fridge networks are becoming a vibrant hub dedicated to promoting community values and sustainable food accessibility, according to stakeholders. 

“Community fridges is an increasingly popular concept in the Kingdom as it offers an array of different foods that help solve the issue of huger while also fostering community wellbeing.” said Baraa Ahmad, a Jordanian environmentalist who started a new community fridge initiative. She added that community fridges are usually located at shared areas such as schools, mosques, churches, and community centres. 

“So far I have installed two fridges in underprivileged areas in Amman… and I am planning on increasing the number of fridges to around 3-4 fridges by the end of the current year,” Ahmad told The Jordan Times. “Before, people always wondered how they could give back to their community... today, with the emerging concept of community fridges, people are given the chance to leave a positive impact,” she further expressed. 

Similarly, the local “Thalajat Khair” community fridges project has continued its expansion throughout the years, as there has been continued demand for community fridge services. The fridges operate on a “serve yourself and take what you need” concept, according to the project’s Instagram, noting that people bring their surplus food, canned goods, fresh fruit and vegetables. Further, the project is aimed to reduce food insecurity and stop surplus food ending up in the trash bins.