What is this project about?
In June 2021, the Town of Innisfil opened its first community fridge to help address the growing concerns of food insecurity in our community. The Troy Scott Community Fridge, named in honour of a beacon of the Innisfil community, aims to remove barriers to accessing nutritious food and reduce the stigma of food insecurity
The Troy Scott Community Fridge is located outside the Innisfil Recreational Complex is accessible 24/7 for anyone to take food from when they need it. It is stocked daily with food donated from residents, community organizations, businesses, and community cooking programs. Residents taking food from the fridge have the freedom to select their own food, providing them with autonomy and control over their food choices. This approach to addressing food insecurity removes barriers by allowing those in need the ability to access food when they need it with autonomy, anonymity, and dignity. This project compliments and augments the important food bank services being provided in the community.
Since opening in June, the Troy Scott Community Fridge has seen remarkable success and support from the community, however, there is still a lot of work to be done. One community fridge in one neighbourhood is insufficient, so we are working to expand the Troy Scott Community Fridge project to additional locations across Innisfil and establish community cooking programs that will contribute food to the community fridges. These cooking programs will offer residents an opportunity to build community connections and give back to their neighbours through preparing food for fridge patrons. Expanding the Troy Scott Community Fridge project by adding additional locations and developing community cooking programs will build capacity for food security and community involvement, while carrying on the legacy of the late Troy Scott: A legacy of generosity and kindness that reached every corner in Innisfil.
Why is this project important to the community?
The Community Needs Assessment conducted in the summer of 2020 indicated that many Innisfil residents are experiencing economic challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, including many who are experiencing food insecurity for the very first time. This project aims to help address this important issue by increasing barrier-free access to nutritious foods for all Innisfil residents, while reducing the stigma associated with food insecurity. By taking a mutual-aid approach to food insecurity and facilitating open conversations about this issue, the Troy Scott Community Fridge project is spreading awareness and creating opportunities for open and constructive dialogue about food insecurity in our community and beyond.
This project also offers a way for residents to feel connected to their community at a time when social isolation and feelings of loneliness are all too common. Opportunities for volunteerism and community involvement are limited because of the pandemic, and the community fridge provides an avenue for residents to safely connect with their community. Residents can give back to their neighbours by donating food to the community fridge or by cleaning, tidying, and organizing the fridge so that it is a welcoming environment for everyone who visits. Implementing cooking programs to contribute food to the community fridge will have important impacts on the community by creating a new way for residents to give back to their neighbours, build social connections, and gain food literacy skills. The food literacy skills gained through community cooking programs have many applications, including work in the culinary or food service industry, training and leadership, and optimizing personal health. As health equity is the foundation of our work, the cooking programs will be targeted towards vulnerable populations including youth, seniors, and low-income individuals. Each program will be tailored to one target demographic so that it can effectively support their unique health needs.
The first five months of this project have seen a remarkable impact on the community as over 3000 food items have been distributed to those in need. While the community response has been incredible, we have learned that one community fridge is not enough. Through expanding the project to additional locations, spreading awareness, and establishing community cooking programs, the Troy Scott Community Fridge Project will be made more equitable by bringing nutritious foods closer to those who need it most. The expansion of the Troy Scott Community Fridge project to include community cooking programs will help strengthen the community with a renewed sense of neighbourliness by creating opportunities for volunteerism, community engagement, and social connection.
