A public refrigerator was set up in a residential compound in the Changshou district of Shanghai on Oct. 9. The food in the refrigerator, mainly provided by nearby hotels and supermarkets, is free for anyone to take.

By maintaining the public refrigerator, the community hopes to waste less food and simultaneously help people in need. The project is largely run by local volunteers, including a number of retirees. Currently, the sources of the food on offer are limited due to safety concerns. Before being officially offered to the public, all the food goes through an inspection and is labeled with an expiration date. The project will soon be promoted in other areas of Shanghai.