Dear Community,

F.O.O.D. Acadiana is excited to share a fresh update on our community fridge initiative! Since our last check‑in, two new fridges have been successfully completed and are already making a meaningful impact. The Christian Life Center fridge was completed on March 28 as planned—developed in partnership with the Brandon Mason Project—has been an incredible success, with steady use and strong community engagement. The church congregation pitches in to make sure the fridge stays stocked and Likewise, the Raccoon Oak Farm Community Fridge, coined “The Breaux Bridge Giving Fridge”, is thriving thanks to the ongoing care and stewardship of neighbors who have embraced it wholeheartedly. Breaux Bridge residents are stopping by multiple times a week to deliver goods and clean the area. Both fridges are operated via solar energy, courtesy of The Footprint Project.

Christian Life Center and The Breaux Bridge Giving Fridge are being maintained by the community neighborhoods at large, which is exactly the kind of shared responsibility and mutual aid this project was designed to inspire. The consistent inquiry about donations, delivery, cleaning, and monitoring happening at each location speaks volumes about the commitment of those involved and the real need these fridges are meeting. During Festival International, we were able to save 1500+ plates of food from rescues, and these fridges certainly came in handy at that time to feed those in need. This is a vital community resource.

Looking ahead, we’re currently in active conversations with the Thensted Center in Grand Coteau. Mockups for a fridge build have been sent. On a side note, we’re also exploring an additional grant opportunity with them that could help bring yet another F.O.O.D. project to life! The enthusiasm from their team has been encouraging, and we’re optimistic about what this partnership could become.

As for our fourth location, we have found one but it is still in the beginning phases of negotiation.. Footprint Project is willing to donate two more kits to us and the contractors that helped build the Christian Life Center Fridge will return for this build when we are ready. We are aiming for late July to begin building at this location.

Thank you for your continued support, collaboration, and belief in this project. Every fridge built is a testament to what we can accomplish together, and we look forward to sharing more progress soon.

Dear Community:

Team F.O.O.D. started the 24 Hour Citizen Project with a big goal in mind: establish three more free fridges and pantries (otherwise known as Freedges) in the Acadiana area. With the help of local resources and the funding provided by 24HCP, we were actually able to set out FOUR new locations for community fridges! Amazing!

The process of setting up a new fridge is quite lengthy. First, we have to find a willing sponsor to allow F.O.O.D. to place a fridge on their property. We must come to an agreement and establish guidelines with new fridge hosts, and line everything up legally for the fridge, structures, and hosts to be protected. Then, we must gather all the materials and set up a date with contractors to build shelters for the fridges. Lastly, it’s build day… we like to make it a big event when a new fridge is constructed, because it is a huge gift to the community!

Fridge #1 will be the Christian Life Center Community Fridge, located outside the church at 411 Verot School Road. This fridge will be run in part by The Brandon Mason Project, another wonderful local nonprofit. So far, we have had a fridge donated by Foodies of Lafayette, and we are scouting for materials. The build day is set for March 28… make a note! More details to follow. Side note: The Brandon Mason Project would like to involve the youth in decorating the fridge enclosure. We happen to love that idea!

Fridge #2 will be located in Breaux Bridge at Raccoon Oak Farms, which has all the supplies ready to go and is just awaiting their contractor. The build date is still to be determined, but we are aiming to have this fridge up and running before Festival Internationale 2026.
Fridge #3 will be at Grand Coteau’s Thensted Center, at 268 Church St. We will be reaching out to continue the process once the first two fridges are built, in early April.
Fridge #4 does not have a set location just yet, but it will be located as closely as possible to the Evangeline Thruway; any blocks of Willow, Moss, and the Thruway motel streets that would allow for safe pedestrian passage would be ideal.

Those are all the updates we have for now, Community, but rest assured that Team F.O.O.D. is working tirelessly to see these fridges come to life. Thank you for your love and support, check in with you soon!