Growing kindness: RRU’s community fridge

It’s been a year since the start of the Royal Roads University Giving Garden. Now there’s a new addition: the RRU community fridge.

It’s a place to provide fresh, nutritious produce to students in need, like the rapini we picked today.

_{Solara Goldwynn, Food Systems Manager} 

The initiative is a partnership between the Giving Garden and Student Food Bank. 

Education Specialist and Master of Arts in Climate Action Leadership student Nancy Prévost-Maurice collaborated with Food Systems Manager Solara Goldwynn to bring this idea forward to student services. From there, everything fell into place quite quickly.  

The community fridge is modelled after other local initiatives like the Victoria community fridge in Rock Bay, says Goldwynn. “It’s a place to provide fresh, nutritious produce to students in need, like the rapini we picked today.”

Student Success Manager Gwen Campden says that “[t]raditionally, RRU’s foodbank has been primarily non-perishable food due to logistics. This cooperation with the Giving Garden provides fresh, locally grown food.”  

Both Goldwynn and Campden emphasize the importance of students approaching the community fridge resource with respect and courtesy: 

• Only take what’s needed to make sure others can benefit
• Make sure to only take food that’s clearly labelled as part of the program

You can find the RRU Community Fridge on the main floor of the Sequoia Building around the corner from the Welcome Desk.

Interested in digging in and supporting a growing cause? Everyone is welcome to contribute to the Giving Garden as a volunteer, donor or visitor. Volunteer shifts are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Email Goldwynn’s team to get involved.