As of August 7, the Town of Rochester has a community fridge.

The Rochester Food Pantry is minding the town’s first public-access refrigerator and freezer, stocked weekly with donations from Tops Friendly Markets and donated deli items.

Cameron Bonner, a board member of the Rochester Food Pantry, said that the idea came from fellow board member Julia Turshen who studied other community fridges in the area.

“Julia went around. She visited them all. She learned what worked for them, what didn't work for them, and we put that all together,” Bonner said. “Unlike other community fridges, we don't take donations. It's too much of a health risk for us. So if people want to donate, they have to give it to the pantry, and we can screen it.”

Elisabeth Grigio, the program officer for Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, said that the fridge was funded by a $15,000 Ulster County Food Security and Resilience Grant, which was awarded in March 2026 and administered by the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley.

Town Supervisor Erin Enouen said that while the town did not participate in the grant, they did support the fridge.

“We fully support the pantry, and this type of unrestricted access to the services is something that I think the community needs more of,” Enouen said.

The fridge is located at 15 Tobacco Road, outside the food pantry building, and is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. The food pantry itself is open Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon. They also host a Saturday Produce Market 9-10:30 a.m. during the summer. If you’d like to help, please visit: https://www.rochesterfoodpantry.org/support-us.