What to bring to the fridge.
Our community fridge is outside Abi's Books & Brews and open 24/7. You don't need to coordinate with anyone. Here's what drops off well, and what to skip.
You can always donate funds instead of food. Just pick Community Fridge as the designation and we'll use it to keep the fridge stocked. Donations are tax-deductible.
Donate to the fridgeFresh produce
- • Apples, oranges, bananas
- • Grapes, berries
- • Peaches, pears, plums
- • Potatoes and sweet potatoes
- • Onions and garlic
- • Tomatoes
- • Carrots
- • Bell peppers
- • Cucumbers
- • Broccoli and cauliflower
- • Corn
- • Greens, lettuce and spinach
- • Avocados
- • Fresh herbs
- • Bagged salads
- • Whole melons
Refrigerated foods
- • Milk
- • Plant-based milk
- • Yogurt
- • Cheese
- • Butter
- • Eggs
- • Hummus
- • Deli meat in unopened packages
- • Refrigerated tortillas
- • Fresh pasta
- • Refrigerated ready-to-eat meals
- • Sealed sandwiches and wraps
- • Juice
- • Bottled water
- • Individual drinks
- • Lunch/snack packs
Easy grab-and-go foods
- • Granola bars
- • Protein bars
- • Fruit cups
- • Applesauce cups
- • Pudding cups
- • Crackers
- • Peanut butter crackers
- • Trail mix
- • Nuts
- • Dried fruit
- • Individual cereal boxes
- • Pop-Tarts
- • Shelf-stable milk
- • Juice boxes
- • Tuna/chicken snack kits
Pantry staples
- • Peanut butter
- • Jelly
- • Cereal
- • Oatmeal
- • Rice
- • Pasta
- • Pasta sauce
- • Mac & cheese
- • Ramen
- • Canned soup
- • Canned beans
- • Canned vegetables
- • Canned fruit
- • Canned tuna, chicken or salmon
- • Chili
- • Ravioli and other canned meals
- • Boxed meals
- • Flour
- • Sugar
- • Cooking oil
- • Coffee
- • Tea
- • Shelf-stable milk
For people without a full kitchen
These are particularly useful for neighbors who don't have a way to cook or refrigerate food.
- • Pull-tab canned foods
- • Ready-to-eat meals
- • Microwaveable rice
- • Microwaveable soup
- • Tuna/chicken pouches
- • Peanut butter
- • Crackers
- • Fruit cups
- • Granola/protein bars
- • Shelf-stable drinks
- • Individual portions
- • Foods that don't require a can opener
Baby and kid-friendly foods
- • Baby food
- • Toddler snacks
- • Applesauce pouches
- • Fruit cups
- • Juice boxes
- • Individual cereals
- • Shelf-stable milk
- • Mac & cheese cups
- • Easy lunch/snack items
Prepared meals and homemade food
Prepared meals can also be donated, including homemade meals, but RVA Community Fridges requires them to be clearly labeled with ingredients, the packaging or preparation date, the expiration date, and allergens. Their guidance generally uses about 3 to 4 days from preparation for homemade food.
Please don't donate
- • Raw meat or raw fish
- • Alcohol
- • Expired or moldy food
- • Partially eaten food
- • Opened packages
- • Unlabeled prepared meals
And if there's no room in the fridge, please don't leave donations sitting outside of it or the pantry.