Belmont Community Free Fridge

As of December 17th 2025 the BCFF was forced to be removed by Portland Permitting & Development. Due to a complaint filed by a community member (see: NIMBY), PP&D issued a citation.

This is the second complaint we've fought, the first with PBOT (Portland Bureau of Transportation). We fought that citation and in working through that process confirmed through a written guarantee that we were in "compliance" and safe from further citations and issues from the City. Enter PP&D.

We (SGC) lobbied and won a month extension but given that we have no room on the collective haus property to meet their stated requirements we were forced to strike the fridge and housing to avoid fines.

We are currently in the process of finding a new home for the BCFF and will update here if/when we are able to accomplish that.

Yet another example of government and bureaucracy inserting itself into and creating absolutely unnecessary barriers between community in need and community who work to provide those resources that government even at the City level either cannot or will not provide themselves. And NIMBY's can fuck right off.

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The BCFF is a community resource and mutual aid project entirely community organized, facilitated and hosted by SGC at SGC Haus in Portland, OR. Free Fridges and Pantries are a means of direct action in the removal of barriers to resources for community members experiencing food insecurity while dually reducing food waste.

You can find more information about the overall project and how to establish a free fridge in your own neighborhood and community as well as a list of other free fridges and pantries in Portland, OR via PDX Free Fridge. We've included the basic overview from PDXFF for easy reference below.

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How to Start a Free Fridge (via PDX Free Fridge)

Step one: Talk to your neighbors. This step is critical to ensure the fridge and fridge users are welcome in the space! These conversations should include discussions on how to navigate conflict if it should arise and a commitment to not involving the cops. This is also a great time to coordinate food drops, cleaning and general involvement!

Step two: Source your materials. You'll need a fridge and/or shelves, a power source and a weatherized shelter! To find these, we encourage you to check out buy nothing groups on Facebook or NextDoor! We can also support you in finding these items and can hire one of our BIPOC builders to build a shelter

Step three: Make it clear what it is. Write free food in multiple languages on your structure, post our community guidelines on your fridge. Consider painting your pantry or let us hire a BIPOC artist to turn it into a work of art.

Step four: Spread the word. Let us know when your free fridge/pantry is up so we can put it on our map and help spread the word!
We are in this together. We encourage hosts to take autonomy in this mutual aid project! Anyone can start a free fridge/pantry and anyone can use them! PDX Free Fridge is here to support.

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Community Guidelines:

- Do your best to only touch what you're going to take.

- Sanitize your hands before opening the fridge and wear a mask the whole time you interact with a fridge.

- If other people are using the fridge, please maintain 6ft of distance at all times.

- Place all perishables in the fridge and non-perisables in the pantry.

- Only donate food that isn't expired or opened.

- While volunteers come to check on the fridge frequently, please do your best to keep the surrounding area clean and organized.

- Please do not donate/leave alcohol or drugs.

- Place all uncooked meat in the freezer and keep meat and produce separated.

- Please do not leave anything on the ground. If there's not room in the fridge or pantry, check out other locations.

When donating prepared meals/baked goods/homemade food:
- Wear mask and gloves while preparing food.
- Use clean, sturdy containers that completely seal.

Label each item with:
- What it is.
- Vegan/Vegetarian/Meat.
- Any allergens.
- The date it was made.