Help-yourself fridge scheme catches on in France

Dounia Mebtoul’s association Les Frigos Solidaires works to have fridges instal­led outside restaurants and shops nationwide, which the public can fill with food to provide for those in need.

There are now 43 community fridges in France, seven of which are in Paris, where Dounia, 27, has one outside the La Cantine du 18ème restaurant which she runs with her mother.

She said: “The fridges are unfortunately a success because there are around 8.3million people who live in poverty in France, while nine million tonnes of food are wasted.

“It’s a practical response to a real need.

“The fridges give food easily and freely to the people who need it.”

The fridges also reduce food waste.

Anyone wanting to donate an item is asked to leave their name and the date that they deposited it written on it.

Any packaged products must be unopened and you cannot donate home-cooked meals, alcohol, meat or fish.

For how to set up a fridge and where to find one, see identites-mutuelle.com/lesfrigossolidaires.