Nearly 3,000 people have saved 2,500kg of food from going to waste since Dorchester's community fridge opened.

CasterFridge was set up by Volunteer Centre Dorset has been open for eight months in the Co-op on Trinity Street in a bid to reduce the amount of edible food waste thrown away by shops and supermarkets.

Within a week of opening, it had saved more than 40kg of food from landfill.

Issy McGowan, project co-ordinator at Volunteer Centre Dorset, said: "The fridge is open to absolutely everyone in our community; we don't ask for any membership or eligibility checks, anyone is welcome to pop round and help themselves.

"Since we opened in April 2021, we have welcomed 2,780 visitors who have helped rescue 2,500kg of good food going to landfill. This huge amount of food, made up of 6,470 individual items, is all food that would have been thrown away because it is past its best and can no longer be sold. Thanks to CasterFridge, this has all been saved and made into stews, curries, salads and so much more.

"We offer recipe cards throughout the year to give people tips on how they can use healthy items from the community fridge, which are always very popular."

CasterFridge is open on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 9.30am, with volunteers on hand to answer any questions.

If you would like to join as a volunteer, contact Issy on [email protected] or call 01305 269214

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