Student-Led Community Fridge Grows into a Shared Campus Resource

Last spring, Stanford students launched a community fridge pilot in partnership with Sustainable Stanford, placing a publicly accessible refrigerator on campus where students and staff can freely leave or take fresh food at any time, offering a new way to support food access while reducing campus food waste. The project was originally initiated by Aarushi Patil, a Stanford graduate student who developed the community fridge as part of her Sustainable Stanford Zero Waste Internship, with support from the Haas Center for Public Service. What began as a student-led academic project has since grown into a shared campus resource.

Students for a Sustainable Stanford helps to manage the fridge student and community volunteers, who entirely sustain this operation — helping to keep the community fridge stocked, clean, and food safe. Volunteers sign up for weekly shifts to deliver food, check for pests, and ensure proper upkeep. Food safety standards are maintained through thorough labeling, volunteer training, and clear norms posted directly on the fridge. Surplus food is currently provided by campus co-ops, with an emphasis on fresh produce and breads, and occasionally prepared meals. By redirecting excess food that might otherwise go to waste, the fridge supports Stanford’s operational sustainability goals while addressing food insecurity on campus.

“We want the fridge to be a supportive measure on campus to build community, help people facing food insecurity, and reduce food waste. I hope the project can be maintained as a source of caring for each other” –Magdalena Ohstrom, Civil Engineering coterm student and community fridge volunteer

What’s next for the community fridge? As the initiative continues to grow, the community fridge is ready for its next chapter. The shed currently housing the fridge and freezer is scheduled for demolition, creating an opportunity to relocate, and potentially expand, this student-led model of care. Project organizers are seeking campus organizations, departments, or student groups interested in hosting or supporting the fridge in its new location. With the right partner, this proven resource can continue its impact. If you or your organization may be able to host the fridge or assist with relocation, please contact: Geoff Baker at glbaker@stanford.edu, Nikita Dhawan at ndhawan@stanford.edu, and Shiqing Yao-Lu at sqlu@stanford.edu.

Getting involved is a simple way to help strengthen a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable campus – sign up to volunteer with the community fridge project.