Last week we visited and learnt all about Albrighton Community Fridge. The project is based Albrighton Community Centre in Dulwich and supports the local community with free fresh and dry food.

We arrived and found Jackie helping out at the food distribution session. Having only exchanged emails to update information for the SFAA food map, it was nice to finally put a face to the name.

We began with a tour around the centre. Jackie, who has overseen the project since it began in 2018, showed us the small fridge they started with (donated from Hubbub). We got a sense of how much the operation has grown since, with two rooms now dedicated to food storage and the main hall where people can choose from a wide variety of fresh and dry food.

The increase in demand for food aid has been the main reason for this. Jackie tells us their numbers have soared in recent years, currently they are seeing around 100-150 people per day. The hike in the cost of living, as well as a weakened social security system, has meant that emergency food provision is yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, according to Trussell’s 2024-25 report.

This is nothing to be celebrated, but what can be valued at least, is the care in the community response. This can be found strongly at Albrighton, from the variety of fresh and nutritious food they provide to the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the session. The centre provides support beyond food too, including a drop-in session with a Citizens Advice advisor every Monday, and the offer of some non-food items such as clothing.

Albrighton extends this caring spirit to other community food providers, sharing any surplus food they have with local groups such as Dawson Heights Community Fridge.

The centre opens to the public on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday between 1-3pm. To collect food from Albrighton Community Fridge, you can visit the Community Centre to sign up, and you will be allocated a time slot to come and pick up your food.

Thank you to Jackie for the tour around the Centre, and telling us all about how the project supports the local community.