Keru
Kuva / photo: AG-kuvat

KERU COMMUNITY FRIDGE

The community fridge is a space and community open to everyone. It is available to anyone who wants to share and/or collect surplus food. The aim is to reduce food waste and to support sustainable food culture. The community fridge offers an easy way to take part in solving global climate and food waste issues.

The first community fridge Keru opened on 3.9.2018 as a pilot project at the Settlement House in Kallio, Helsinki. The purpose of this pilot project was to gain experience, develop the concept and possibly continue the project on a regular basis after the pilot period ended on 2.2.2020. The project was inspired by successful food sharing movements across Europe. Design had an important role in the development and implementation of this community fridge concept. The pilot project was conducted by Waste Food Crew (a group of urban activists) working group and led by designer Heidi Uppa. Dozens of volunteers were involved in the daily activities and Settlement House was the main partner of the project. The materials and tools resulting from the pilot project will be published on the community fridge.info platform by the end of 2020.

After the pilot period, the activities continue and are led by the Keru-yhteisöjääkaappi ry association. Information related to the activities can be followed on the association’s Facebook page and Instagram.

HOW COMMUNITY FRIDGE WORKS?

The community fridge welcomes companies, organisations, groups and individuals to donate food which would otherwise be in danger of going waste. With the help of our volunteers we collect regularly food portions and groceries from the nearby donors, which include shops, supermarkets, cafes and restaurants. We will pick up surplus food regularly 7 times a week from our regular donors. Please contact Waste Food Crew team if you want to become a waste food donor for the community fridge.

Everyone is welcome to collect food from the community fridge. We do not collect personal information from the food collectors or have any other requirements for them besides following our rules and instructions. The most important thing for us is that surplus food will get into use and the amount of food waste will be reduced. We will take care of the cleaning the fridge on regular basis. This ensures food safety and a pleasant experience for everyone visiting the fridge.

We want to develop future food culture and strengthen the sense of community through our activities. Therefore we are, among other things, organising circular economy workshops, waste food cooking sessions and other events with changing themes. With the community fridge concept, we explore opportunities to reduce food waste and increase environmental awareness of everyday choices and activities. Reducing food waste is one of the easiest and simplest ways to prevent climate change.

This is how the community fridge works:

1. Donate your surplus food to the community fridge

2. The surplus food is recycled and gets into use

3. We have agreements to collect surplus food from our collaborators on a regular basis

4. Food from the fridge is open to everyone who is willing to take and eat

5. We take care of cleaning the fridge regularly

6. By using the community fridge you can do good for climate, environment and people in the neighbourhood

HOW TO COLLECT FOOD?

COLLECTING FOOD FROM THE COMMUNITY FRIDGE
1. Check rules

Read our instructions carefully

2. Examine food
3. Weight food
4. Fill information

The community fridge welcomes everyone interested to collect food. We do not collect personal information from our food collectors. The only requirement for picking up food is that our rules and  instructions are carefully followed. Food collectors need to become familiar with their responsibilities. In case food is not packaged in the original packaging, food collectors should read all information written on the package and also check the condition of the food based on sensory examination. Does the food smell / look / taste good?

In case food is suitable and the condition of it is good, then it should be weighed and necessary information should be filled in the orange pick-up folder located next to the community fridge. After that food can be taken and put into use. We are happy to receive feedback from food collectors to be able to develop service and functions. Any kind of abusive behaviour should be reported to Waste Food Crew.

LOCATION & OPENING TIMES

Keru community fridge is located at the Kalliolan Setlementtitalo (neighbourhood spaces downstairs) at Sturenkatu 11, Helsinki – food donations and collections can be done during Kalliolan Setlementtitalo opening times:

Regular opening times:
Monday – Friday 8:00 – 20:00
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 – 16:00

Please, check valid opening times from Kalliola Settlementtitalo or Keru-yhteisöjääkaappi ry Facebook & Instagram pages.

Address:
Kalliolan Setlementtitalo, Sturenkatu 11, 00510 Helsinki