For the South Philly Community Fridge, community impact is twofold: preventing waste and bringing food back into a community that needs it. The fridge was started in 2020 to supply residents with free produce and home-cooked meals while offering food waste solutions. Recently, I sat down with Victoria Jayne, a long-time volunteer with the Fridge, to learn more about the fantastic work the organization is doing and how we can best support it.
Jayne started volunteering with the Fridge three months after the organization was founded, after coming across a plea for volunteers on Instagram. Seeing a gap where her skills could be valuable, Jayne’s been with the organization ever since and helps out where she can. “I got into this by answering the call when I saw it online,” Jayne says. “Then I was just able to involve myself where I saw places my skills could be used.” As a horizontally led entity, every volunteer on the fridge is equal, and no titles are given. However, Jayne refers to herself as an organizer due to her involvement in the administrative side of the organization.
A day at South Philly Community Fridge can look different depending on the community’s needs. Typically, each day involves multiple food rescues from grocery stores in the area, transporting goods from drivers to the fridges, and cleaning out old food, among many other tasks the 75 volunteers accomplish. How partnerships with grocery stores are made can vary, but many grocery stores reach out wanting to contribute to a good cause. “In the case of Grocery Outlet, they were interested in being a grocery partner,” Jayne recollects. “And that’s been the start of a really incredible partnership.” Another way the fridge sources food and prevents waste is by receiving personal food donations from the public from food drives or people who are just cleaning out their fridges, “People will think, ‘Oh, I’m going on vacation, and these strawberries are going to go bad,” Jayne said. “I’m not going to eat them in time. Let me drop them off.”
With public benefits revoked or decreased, such as the child tax credit and snap benefits, the public’s need for community fridges has only expanded. “Anecdotally, we’re seeing an increased need for food and increased traffic now compared to earlier in our history when there are more public benefit programs in place,” Jayne asserts. The immense impact of the fridge is compounded by the community kind’s words of appreciation for their work, “We run into people in real life, and they tell us how helpful it is for them. People leave notes in the fridges and pantries, so that’s really nice.”
Although they’ve had great success, the Fridge does encounter some challenges. The main challenge is keeping the fridge staffed and having a constant availability of volunteers. “Having volunteers is 100% of what we do,” Jayne says. “So we’re always in need of more volunteers.”
Despite this issue, Jayne believes South Philly Community Fridge has one significant advantage over other food organizations: the power of mutual aid. Although traditional food organizations do great work, the Fridge’s structure makes it so that there is no distinction between who should receive food and who provides food, so anyone is welcome to participate. Mutual aid also lends itself to flexibility if a crisis occurs. She recollects a time in 2023 when there was suspected water contamination in Philadelphia. “Fortunately, it turned out to be just a scare,” she says. “But because of being a mutual aid organization and not having to jump through a bunch of hoops, we just met as volunteers on an emergency basis.” This incident starkly contrasts with other food organizations that couldn’t mobilize quickly and showcases the Fridge’s unique ability to help South Philly residents in the moments that matter the most.
Jayne strongly believes that college students have the power to make a difference in their communities, starting with something as simple as food rescue. “You don’t need permission to start,” she says. “You can just do it, whether making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for unhoused people or donating food to your local community fridge.” She emphasizes that it’s not about waiting for a larger organization to act but about taking the initiative and contributing in whatever way possible. For students, getting involved in mutual aid is a chance to connect with like-minded individuals who share similar values while making a tangible impact. “In a world that feels politically chaotic and overwhelming, it’s empowering to know that you can ensure someone eats today,” Jayne concludes.
The South Philly Community Fridge has become an essential part of the local fabric, filling a gap where other resources fall short. It’s more than just a food bank; it’s a community-driven initiative that thrives on mutual support, offering a space where food is shared freely, and relationships are built around the common goal of helping each other. As Jayne explains, the fridge isn’t just about preventing food waste—it’s about creating an accessible, reliable resource for those in need, especially as public assistance programs have been cut back.
The fridge always needs volunteers, especially those with vehicles. Visit their volunteer page to register and learn how you can help. If volunteering is too big a time commitment, consider donating to their food fund. Remember: change starts with being brave enough to try!
Edible Autonomy 
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