Community Fridges – Frequently Asked Questions
Q – What is involved in volunteering for the Community Fridge?
A – Volunteers:
- Collect goods from supermarkets and other retailers
- Ensure surfaces are clean before opening
- Check use-by and best before dates
- Record the amounts of food donated
- Greet visitors and record how many attend each session
- Empty bins and clean surfaces before closing
Q – Do I need to have Food Safety qualifications to volunteer at the community fridge?
A – It is not compulsory, although it is recommended. You can choose any Level 2 Food Safety course – for example:
https://one-training.org.uk/courses/online-courses-available/
Greener Orkney will reimburse the cost (usually about £20) upon completion.
Q – What if some food is past its ‘Use-By’ date but looks fine? Can you still give it out?
A – No. The Environmental Health can issue fines for distributing food past its ‘Use-By’ date. All food must be removed from display after the date shown.
Q – What if food is past its ‘Best Before’ date? Can you still give it out?
A – Yes, if it looks to be in usable condition and is within six months of the ‘Best Before’ date.
Q – What food can you accept from the public?
A – Any store-cupboard items in sealed containers that have not been tampered with.
Q – Can you accept fruit and vegetables from the public?
A – Yes
Q – Can you accept eggs?
A – We can only accept eggs if they come from a supplier who has a food certification.
Q – Can you accept jam, chutney, cakes and other items made by the public?
A – No. We cannot give out these items unless they have been prepared in a kitchen that has a food safety certificate.
Q – Are there any items you cannot accept from the supermarket?
A – Certain items are not accepted, including unpasteurised milk, cooked rice, raw milk cheeses, pâtés, bean sprouts, and products that could contain any of those ingredients. We cannot accept any unlabelled multiple-ingredient items.
Q – Are volunteers covered by insurance while transporting food to the Community Fridge?
A – Yes. Greener Orkney has Volunteers’ and Public Liability insurance to cover most eventualities.
Q – Do you offer work experience?
A – Unfortunately not. We do not have insurance cover, nor safeguarding procedures in place, for volunteers under 18.