THE first-ever community fridge in Worcester was officially opened today (Tuesday) in the riverside town of Upton.

Worcestershire County Council and Malvern Hills District Council have partnered with Upton Co-Op, Upton Baptist Church and the environmental charity Hubbub UK to deliver the scheme.

County councillor Paul Middlebrough, who represents Upton, has also donated money from his divisional fund to support the creation of the fridge.

The fridge is based in the chapel of the Old Street-based church and is open every day. Residents are invited to put in any surplus food they have and select quality food that would otherwise be wasted.

It is number 51 in a growing number of fridges opening across the UK. They are all part of a scheme set up by Hubbub in 2016, that is saving thousands of tonnes of food from ending up in the bin.

Cllr Tony Miller, cabinet member with responsibility for the environment at Worcestershire County Council, said: “We are delighted to be working with Upton Baptist Church, Malvern Hills District Council and the Co-Op to introduce Worcestershire’s first official community fridge. We hope that it will be successful over time and reduce the amount of food thrown away from the town.

“Food waste makes up over a third of Worcestershire waste and to dispose of it costs Worcestershire County Council over £5m a year. If we can reduce this waste it helps residents save money and the county council divert funding into other areas.”

Cllr Dean Clarke, chairman of Malvern Hills District Council, opened the fridge along with Rev Amy Wearing, Minister at Upton Baptist Church.

To mark the occasion those present were treated to a pumpkin lunch, cooked by the county’s Let’s Waste Less volunteers, using pumpkins donated by Clive’s Fruit Farm in Upton to highlight the 12 million pumpkins wasted after Halloween each year.

The Community Fridge Network has been set up to provide free advice and support to organisers of Community Fridges and act as a hub to enable communities to share their experiences and learn from each other.

To find out about the Upton Community Fridge or to donate visit Upton Baptist Church or visit facebook.com/uptoncommunityfridge.