community fridge toronto

A neighbourhood depot for free food had to be shut down after somebody complained

community fridge has been removed by order of the city after they got a complaint about it.

"We asked where the complaint came from," says Matt Schachtebeck, owner of the vintage clothing cafe Coffee and Clothing, "but they only explained that it was a neighbour and gave no further details."

Community fridges have spread across Toronto, usually placed on the street in front of local businesses where they're used by locals in need, and replenished by others who have more than they need.

This isn't the first time a fridge has been removed: Another was removed because an officer ordered the landlord of a building hosting one to remove it, citing a bylaw meant for unused, discarded appliances.

Coffee and Clothing has hosted their fridge for almost a year now, after  owner Matt Schachtebeck saw the need for one and set it up.

"It was embraced by the community right away, and it was being filled and emptied at least a few times a day," Schachtebeck tells blogTO.

The bylaw officer that visited them told the shop that they'd be fined if it was not removed, so they took it down.

"For now, we were allowed to keep the pantry," he says, referring to the un-refrigerated food that's still available out front, "and that is still being used daily. We are also opening a second bigger location right around the corner this summer and we hope that we can do another community pantry at that location as well."

Lead photo by

Coffee and Clothing


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Construction machinery is now tearing down more parts of Ontario Place

Metrolinx plan could send 400 dump trucks through Toronto neighbourhood every day

Ontario companies allegedly charging foreign workers tens of thousands of dollars for jobs

Toronto was just named the best city for young Canadians to work in

People filmed risking lives for social media photos on edge of Ontario's Niagara Falls

Anger after multiple viral videos show illegal fishing in rivers across Ontario

A giant glowing wall now divides Toronto destination from Gardiner Expressway

Horrifying fungus native to Ontario looks like it's covered in teeth and blood