Community Fridges 

A community fridge is just what it sounds like – a publicly accessible refrigerator that’s stocked with free food. It’s a way to bring food to the places where people already are. 

If you have labeled and unopened food that you would otherwise throw away, we encourage you to drop it off at a community fridge near you. Just drive up, put your items in the fridge, and drive away. It’s just that simple!

All community fridge donations should be:  

  • Sealed

  • Labeled

  • Dated

Many fridges also have a spot to drop off dry goods, which are labeled on the map. Here are some common examples of what to give:

  • Milk, yogurt, or cheese

  • Deli meat or eggs

  • Fruit or vegetables

  • Baked goods such as muffins or bread

  • Juice or snacks

  • Paper towels, paper plates, and utensils

  • Diapers and wipes

Want to host a community fridge? Contact us, and we will provide the fridge and training for you to share fresh food with your neighborhood.

Fridge locations
Contact us
Community Fridge Toolkit
Smiling woman standing next to a large refrigerator with donated food inside
Exterior of a community fridge for Eat Greater Des Moines in a small shelter
 

FAQS: Community Fridges

  • Anyone! Even you. That’s the beauty of the community fridge program — it eliminates the stigma of asking for food because we welcome anyone in the community to take from it. (As well as give to it!)

    We do not ask for state IDs, nor do we ask individuals to sign up or prove their income eligibility. We simply want to share extra food with our community, in the same way a coworker may bring extra food to an office breakroom to share.

  • The community fridges are more than just fridges. Many also have designated dry storage spaces for supplies and basic needs, like pet food, paper goods, and feminine products.

    Check the map above to see which locations have dry good drop-off locations, as only some do.

  • Volunteers clean and maintain the fridge, monitor how empty or full they are, and when the sealed, labeled, and dated food expires.

    At some of our fridges, technology helps us track the internal temperature so we know the food stays safe. We would love for more fridges to have this ability and are seeking donors to make this possible.

  • We are actively looking for business, nonprofits and community members to help us find community fridge hosts.

    Contact us to suggest a location or to volunteer to take care of a community fridge for your neighborhood.

  • We take precautions. And we want to put your mind at ease when you donate. Iowa’s Good Samaritan law protects citizens who donate if something goes wrong.

We need you.

  Help us create a healthier food system that works for everyone.