Okehampton school launches community initiative aimed at supporting local families

A new community fridge and larder has opened at St James C of E Primary School in Okehampton to support local families, reduce food waste and offer help to the wider community. 

The project has been created by Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust in partnership with LiveWest, after Community Engagement Lead Melissa Trudgill successfully applied for grant funding to buy the fridge, signage and equipment.

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Melissa Trudgill, Community Engagement Lead for Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, said: “This project is a great example of partnership working between Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, St James Primary School, LiveWest and Educatering. It demonstrates Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust’s commitment not only to children and families in their schools but the whole community. 

“This project will also be linked to the Green Box food project in Okehampton and receive surplus from this project. We are now looking for volunteers to help support this project going forward.”

ABOVE: Pupils of the school cut the ribbon to open the fridge (Credit: St James Primary)

The school’s catering contractor, Educatering, is supplying regular food donations to help keep the fridge stocked.

LiveWest, a local housing association, supported the project through its social value scheme, with contractors Jewson Partnership Solutions donating all the materials needed to build the larder. 

Simon Cohen, Community Connector for LiveWest, said: “We are so excited to have been involved in this project. This is a big school, in a growing area and St James School were very supportive of it. When we were approached to assist with the community fridge by Melissa (DMAT) we jumped at the chance to assist in this wonderful idea. 

“We wanted to be involved with the Community Larder and Fridge as it will help reduce quality food going to landfill or compost and also helps reduce food poverty. We want to thank Jewson Partnership Solution for their generosity to get this project up and running. We hope this will make a big difference to the community.”

ABOVE: A selection of products available in the community fridge (Credit: St James Primary)

The aim of the fridge is to reduce food waste by redistributing surplus food that would otherwise be thrown away, helping household budgets stretch further and supporting people in an area where access to essential services, including a local shop, can be limited. 

The project is designed to be inclusive and open to anyone who may benefit, and is open to the public during school hours.

LiveWest carpenters and electricians also volunteered their time to build the community larder, installing the lighting, shelving and electrics. 

Multi-Skilled Technician Sean Wilson said: “I know firsthand how vital this kind of support can be. I grew up in a household where we often relied on food banks to get by, and I’ll never forget the difference it made during some of our hardest times. 

“Building this is more than just a practical task, it's a way of standing alongside people in our community, reminding them they’re not alone, and that there are always people who care.”

ABOVE: A few of the LiveWest workers involved in the project (Credit: LiveWest)

Anyone interested in volunteering or joining the community fridge team can contact Melissa Trudgill at mtrudgill@dmatschools.org.uk