Hello, friends + beloved community members!
As you might have heard by now, starting in November, SNAP benefits will not be distributed by the federal government. More than 11.1 million Massachusetts residents rely on SNAP benefits for food—and many of them are kids, the elderly, and folks with disabilities. This gap will leave millions of our neighbors vulnerable to hunger and poor nutrition.
We’ve rebooted our Fill The Fridge initiative to gather and shop for the Somerville Community Fridge together, but we encourage you to find time (and friends!) to shop for the fridge independently, too. We need to build coalition in the face of oppression, and this effort to protect our neighbors is going to require every single one of us.
WHERE TO GO
The Somerville Community Fridge closest to Rebel Rebel is located at 35 Prospect St in Union Square. The fridge itself is housed in a shed behind CrossFit Somerville (across from the new Life Alive, near the new Green Line station and behind ye olde Dunks). If you're driving, you can absolutely park in the little parking lot there (it's kind of a free-for-all so just put your car wherever). Depending on where you live, there's also a community fridge at:
275 Broadway, on Grant street side
33 St Clement Road (Medford)
75 Riverside Ave (Medford)
—check to see which is more convenient for you!
WHAT TO DO
I typically shop at Market Basket because the prices are hard to beat and it's close to the fridge (around a 12-minute walk if you're on foot). If you're going to clean out your pantry instead, keep in mind that you should only bring food you'd be happy to eat!
Whenever I'm short on time/extra money and on my way to shop for the fridge, I prioritize 3-4 item groups:
- Protein: I usually look for bang-for-your buck ground meat and pouches of tuna or salmon. Market Basket often has deals on both of these items. Eggs are good, too, but more expensive. Canned beans with a pop top can be great.
- Milk: Whole milk by the gallon!
- Butter and cooking oil
- Baby food/toddler food: There are also often deals on veg/fruit pouches for kids. I try to find the ones that have beans or chicken in them for some extra protein when possible.
HOW TO DO IT
Gather your groceries and head to the fridge! Go up the ramp and you'll see some drawers in the shed for canned items and dry goods. The fridge is to the left. Pop any perishables and any boxes that might be nibbled by rats in the fridge—anything canned or hygeine-related can go in the drawers.
A few notes:
- Things like dried pasta, bread, and rice get donated often. If you can bring the above instead, it'll go a long way.
- I try to shop for kids when I can—lunchbox-appropriate items like clementines, string cheese or Babybel, shelf-stable yogurts and pouches are great and protein-dense. Eggs can be hardboiled and packed, too.
- Fresh fruits and veg are awesome but time-consuming to cook. I try to grab fruit like oranges, apples, and bananas that are basically hand fruits and high in vitamins. If you're looking at bringing veg, canned can actually be easier to prepare (with a pop top is best). Hearty canned veggie soups with beans are great.
- When in doubt, frozen burritos are a good bet for all kinds of families. Easy to prepare, filling and nutritious. The fridge has a freezer.
- Buy in bulk! The fridge feeds many families, so if you've only got $40 to spend, get a bunch of 1-2 categories (a bunch of meat and a few gallons of milk, or a few dozen baby food pouches, for example).
- Personal hygiene items are always helpful! Especially diapers, wipes, and tampons/pads.
- If you make too much food at home, you can also bring your leftovers to the fridge! Just label any allergens.
- Treats like Bustelo, tea bags, and chocolate are always welcome!
- The fridge is usually empty when I visit—just a good reminder to keep our neighbors in mind for more than one day!
If you're feeling shy about going on your own, I encourage you to ask a friend—maybe even one you're feeling shy about asking! When we build coalition, we become stronger than our oppressors, and that's exactly what we need right now. If no one is available, I encourage you to go for it solo! You can totally do this, and your neighbors need you now more than ever!!!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to drop us an email!
XOXO
Lauren