Frigidaire solidaire
It’s small initiatives that make big plans, and small ideas that drive big change. In a world where social inequalities are on the increase, every initiative in favor of the underprivileged makes a significant difference. With their first solidarity fridge in Geneva’s Charmilles district, the Free-Go collective is helping to strengthen human bonds through the sharing of food. An awareness of the need to exchange foodstuffs between those who have and those who lack. At a time when 2.8 million tonnes of food are wasted every year in the canton of Geneva alone (which could represent one meal a day per inhabitant with better management), the initiative of these new-style fridges seems more necessary than ever.
Free.go
Refrigerated hut
“While making as many people as possible aware that food can be shared instead of thrown away, the first idea is above all to generate links between people. It’s just common sense when you think about it. Food is the best social network,” stresses Maxime Faimali, head of the Free-Go project. This young entrepreneur began his adventure in the Paris region, before moving more recently to the shores of Lake Geneva. Five months ago, he decided to take over the project, despite the problems associated with setting it up. Structurally built like a mini wooden hut, the fridge is as atypical as it is functional. Depending on the day’s supply, it contains fruit and vegetables, alternating with dairy products, cereals and vegetable proteins.
In practical terms, how does it work? Equipped with their cargo bikes, two members of the association take to the streets of Geneva every day to collect unsold foodstuffs from local grocery stores. “Twice a day, William and Larry come to stock the fridge and clean it at the same time. We have very strict hygiene specifications to meet. There’s a daily stewardship,” Maxime reminds us. Each item is weighed beforehand so that we can calculate the quantity of food recovered. Alcohol, home-cooked dishes, raw meat and fish are all banned. In case of doubt, the fridge is clearly marked.
Restaurant collaboration
As with the green roofs, creative ideas abound, and the collective is already thinking about future concepts. A second fridge is due to open soon in the Pâquis district, and others will follow in the coming months. The next step is to arouse the interest of the restaurant world and sensitize chefs to this noble cause. The spectrum is wide, and there are many possible collaborations. All that’s left to do is…
