KokHeong McNaughton, who spear-headed Gaia’s Pantry, the free food pantry at the Unitarian Church, puts some fresh herbs from the church’s Food Forest into the pantry’s new fridge. The fridge allows the community to donate perishable food items such as fruit, vegetables and dairy products. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
The organizers of Gaia’s Pantry, located outside of the Unitarian Church, 1738 North Sage St., were looking to provide fresh fruits and vegetables as well as other perishable food stuffs.
At first, they tried a cooler with ice packs, but the melting packs constantly needed to be replaced. So, they decided to purchase a small outdoor refrigerator, designed for campers to keep their food and drinks cold. With some modification, the fridge was installed in early March, right by the main entrance to the Unitarian Church.
The fridge works in a similar way as the main pantry. People are encouraged to leave items and pick up food stuffs as needed.
KokHeong McNaughton, who headed up the project, said that the only perishable item that the team decided not to share from the refrigerator is fresh meat due to concerns about contamination.
She added that local gardeners are encouraged to leave excess fruits and vegetables from their gardens in the fridge. Store-bought items are also appreciated.
The turn-around for fresh produce is high, typically they are taken within a few days, McNaughton said. Unexpired dairy products as well as store-bought baked goods are also welcomed. There is a list of suggested guidelines for sharing perishable items posted on the side of the fridge.
She explained that high priority was given to fruits and vegetables because “…the needs you hear from Self Help (are) that fresh fruits and vegetables are hard to get.”
The fridge assists with more than just food insecurity and food scarcity, McNaughton pointed out. It also helps with reducing food waste. There’s also convenience. If someone is cooking and they need just one ingredient for a recipe, stopping by Gaia Pantry is a great option, she said.
The fridge has been a success, McNaughton said. “Most things are gone in a day or two,” she said.
People are welcomed to come by anytime to drop off or pick up. Home-grown items should be bagged and labeled so people know what it is, she added. Putting a date on the items will also help. Labels, bags, and writing materials are provided next to the fridge. A key is attached in case it needs to be locked up to bear-proof it.
Gaia Pantry opened for business a little more than a year ago, McNaughton said. The main pantry now only holds nonperishable items and toiletries. If it is understocked, a message is put out on its Facebook page. People from the community are really generous and help stock the pantry right away.
Community pantries seem to have taken off since Gaia Pantry’s opening, she said. At least three more have popped up including one in White Rock, one at the United Methodist Church and third one at the Betty Ehart Senior Center.
McNaughton said this is a positive trend.
“Most of us are not aware that there are families here in Los Alamos who go hungry just like we are not aware that there are homeless people in Los Alamos,” she said. “Being able to share and care for one another in this way is good for the community.”