The Rutland 'food fridges' helping to combat the cost of living
The idea reduces food waste and helps people feeling the squeeze of inflation
With inflation rising to 9% - the highest in 40 years - some Rutland residents will be seriously feeling the squeeze in the cost of living.
But one Rutland community group has a small solution to help those struggling to make ends meet, and be environmental about doing so.
Members of Root-and-Branch Out have been stocking 'food fridges' in Oakham and Uppingham with food items set to go to waste on supermarket shelves.
Residents can drop by, pay a small donation, and fill their boots with goods that would've eventually gone to landfill.
'Now people are having to tighten their purse strings and think really carefully about what they're buying due to the cost of living, and so it's a really great project - people can come along, pay a little donation and take what they need,' said Clare Crowley, director of Root-and-Branch Out.
'We've got a huge community garden and whatever surplus we have there can come to the project here at the fridges - but also local allotment holders and people that grow in their gardens sometimes offer their produce. So today we've had about 10 pounds of rhubarb to give away.'