Bed-Stuy To Get Free Community Fridge In Earth Day Campaign

BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — Bed-Stuy is one of four neighborhoods across the country that will get a free community fridge this Earth Day, Patch has learned.

An Earth Day "Community Fridge Initiative" led by Brooklyn-based appliance company AjMadison will send out its first four free fridges to four organizations across the East Coast, including to New York City's One Love Community Fridge.

The organization plans to put the free fridge somewhere in Bed-Stuy, according to organizers.

“Our goal is to increase awareness around food insecurity and provide more visibility for community refrigerator projects,” said AjMadison’s Vice President of Marketing Amy Chernoff. “This effort helps organizations that support people experiencing food insecurity, reduces food waste and emphasizes the importance of sustainability. "

In total, AjMadison is working on giving out 100 refrigerators across the country, Chernoff said. Their community refrigerator project began in 2020 in Brooklyn, which is home to the flagship showroom and company headquarters.

The latest four fridges, donated with the help of Blue Star, will be set up in the week leading up to Earth Day, which falls on April 22, in Brooklyn, Virginia, Philadelphia and Miami, the company said.

"We also invite local artists, schools, and influencers to paint or decorate the refrigerators, and engage with local restaurants to donate excess food to their community fridge projects," Chernoff said.

The AjMadison refrigerator won't be alone in Bed-Stuy.

During the coronavirus crisis, community fridges popped up on Lexington Avenue, Van Buren Street and throughout the borough.