Here's what to consider if you want to open a community fridge in Gardner

In an attempt to help fight food insecurity private residents and organizations across the world have opened 24/7 community fridges but despite a perceived need, there is not one in the greater Gardner area.

Two months ago, Kimberly Blake attempted to open a community pantry, which is similar to a community fridge, outside her Baker Street home in Gardner. Blake said she saw the need for something similar to the community pantry, so she opened her greenhouse filled with non-perishable foods. But concerns from the city's health department, which is responsible for food safety, meant it was not allowed to operate.

"Food safety is a critical aspect of public health and well-being that focuses on the prevention of foodborne illnesses and injuries," Micah Blondeau, the Gardner Public Health Department director said. "Food safety is not only mean to protect the consumer, but the businesses that provide the food as well as serving contaminated food can have major financial and legal impacts on a business."

Blake is rethinking her approach hoping to offer gift cards for grocery stores, hygiene items, school supplies, diapers instead of food.

"When the fall comes, I plan to put out used Halloween costumes for anyone who can't afford to buy one for their kids," she said. "Especially during the holidays, which is hard financially for a lot of people. I plan to put out toys and wrapping paper."

What is a community fridge and a community pantry?

A community fridge or pantry is a food-sharing program open to the public 24/7.

With the property owner's consent, a structure is placed on private property that contains a closed pantry or fridge for food to be donated and taken out of it. The community fridge is restocked through residents' donations, and food-insecure residents can access food and other items at any time.

Food pantries are often open on specific days and hours.

What food safety regulations govern community fridges?

So far, the Massachusetts Public Health Department has not created any guidelines or regulations for community fridges. Blondeau said the City of Gardner also doesn't have any specific city policies for community fridges or pantries on private property but said they would fall under the same categories for food safety.

Although there are no guidelines at the state and local levels, Blondeau said the first step for a resident who wants to open a community fridge or pantry on their property is to visit or call the health department at city hall.

"This is something new, and it doesn't quite fit into a category," he said. "We want the resident who inquires about some like to contact us so we can work up a good plan and make sure it's monitored correctly."

Blondeau said based on other municipalities with community fridges, there are some recommended guidelines.

• The fridge must be located on private property and on a nonporous surface with access to electricity.
• The fridge must have lighting that is 10-feet long (which is governed under specific regulations)
• An alarm with a wireless recorder must be installed to monitor temperature remotely.
• A Person in Charge must be assigned to monitor the community fridge. They will also be responsible for all volunteers' food safety education. That person also has to assign volunteers to check on the fridge's sanitary condition and proper temperatures and does not contain food items that are not allowed.
• The person in charge must schedule regular sanitization to prevent dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris from entering the fridge.
• Food items that are not allowed include out-of-date or expired food, food that has been repackaged, and food in opened containers.
• Food items permitted: fresh uncut produce; prepackaged unopened produce; unopened dairy products including milk, cheese, yogurt; factory-packaged cooked meats including deli or sandwich meat; and factory-packaged prepared meals such as frozen meals and canned soups.
• Prepared foods are permitted, but they must be prepared by a licensed food establishment under the supervision of a Food Safety Manager. They must also be labeled, date marked, and display a list of allergens.

Where is the nearest community fridge?

The closest thing to a community fridge in or around the greater Gardner area is the student snack fridge at Mount Wachusett Community College on the Leominster and Gardner campuses. The college provides students with a 24/7 fridge with snacks, beverages, and prepared meals like salads, sandwiches, or parfaits.

The Gardner area is not the only community without these free fridges. Leominster and Fitchburg also lack community fridges that are open to the public. Worcester is the closest city to the North Central region, with several community fridges open 24/7. The towns of Shrewsbury and Northborough also have community fridges.

In Marlborough, a high school junior established a solar-powered community fridge for her Girl Scout gold award project.

What Woo Fridge is doing in Worcester:Community fridges a 24/7 Worcester endeavor offering free refrigerated food for others

Woo Fridge is a mutual aid effort based in Worcester that aims to give all residents access to healthy foods. The neighbor-led initiative has four community fridges opened in the city: Greendale Fridge at 16 Brooks St., Portland Fridge at 44 Portland St., Union Hill Fridge at 42 South St., and College Square Fridge at 695 Southbridge St.

How Watertown neighbors worked with a church to establish a community fridge

Watertown, a city close to Boston, has a community fridge and pantry organized by a group of neighbors who partnered with the Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church at 80 Mt Auburn St.

Steven Duede is one of the concerned neighbors who helped organize the Watertown Community Fridge. He said the community fridge grew organically through other neighbors' support. Duede said the first step is to find a host where the fridge can be safely placed.

Helping others:Community Fridge helps feed a Providence, Rhode Island, neighborhood

The money to pay for the fridge and materials used to build the structure that protects the fridge from weather elements came from concerned Watertown neighbors' pockets. He said the church pays for the electricity used by the fridge, Duede said.

"I feel like we're really lucky. When I talk to other folks, they say they have problems like they can't find volunteers or a good property host with a safe space for the fridge," he said. "It's pretty remarkable. We were very fortunate to find the right folks to work together on this."

The neighbors did not have to follow any requirements issued by the Watertown Health Department. Duede said that since the fridge and pantry are on private property, the health department didn't reach out to them. He said they do have volunteers or someone from the church clean and check the temperature control of the fridge twice a day.

Duede said he did register the Watertown Community Fridge with the state as a public charity so they can collect donations and use them to keep the fridge and pantry stocked.