Since 2023, Springfield Community Gardens has partnered to fill what are called community fridges across Springfield, bringing fresh produce to areas where people already are and giving it away with no strings attached. It’s an almost casual attempt to fill a niche for everyday hunger that is often overlooked by big systematic solutions.
Gina Marie Walden works at the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library in downtown Springfield. She helped start and maintain a community fridge at the library.
“They have the relationships with the farmers, and they purchase fresh produce from local farmers, and they bring it to us, and we put it out for people in the community, our patrons, to come, and we ask that they just take what they need.”…