Network of Community Fridges Opens on Milwaukee's North Side

Residents band together to address food insecurity after grocery store closure

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A network of five community fridges has been launched on Milwaukee's north side to provide fresh food access to residents after the closure of a local grocery store. The fridges operate on a 'take what you need, leave what you can' principle and were funded through local government and nonprofit support.

Why it matters

The closure of the Metcalfe Park Pick 'n Save grocery store created deep concerns about food insecurity and lack of access to fresh, healthy food options in the surrounding neighborhoods. The community fridge network is a grassroots, community-led solution to address this pressing issue.

The details

The first community fridge opened at Tricklebee Café last September, and four additional fridges have now been installed at other locations across the north side. The purchase of the refrigerators and other equipment was made possible through funding from Alderman Russell Stamper II and the FEED MKE program. Organizers and elected officials praised the community-driven response to the grocery store closure, with State Representative Margaret Arney and Milwaukee County Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson-Bovell pledging support for policy measures to expand and protect food access.

  • The Metcalfe Park Pick 'n Save grocery store closed nearly eight months ago.
  • The first community fridge opened at Tricklebee Café in September 2025.
  • The four additional community fridges were launched in March 2026.

The players

Metcalfe Park Community Bridges

A neighborhood nonprofit organization that hosted the ribbon cutting ceremony for one of the new community fridges.

Melody McCurtis

The deputy director of Metcalfe Park Community Bridges who cut the ribbon on the new community fridge.

Mabel Lamb

The executive director of the Sherman Park Community Association who spoke about the impact of the grocery store closure on surrounding neighborhoods.

Margaret Arney

A Democratic state representative for the 18th District who spoke in support of the community fridge network and pledged to introduce policy measures to help expand and protect food access.

Marcelia Nicholson-Bovell

The Milwaukee County Chairwoman who also spoke in support of the community fridge network and committed to supporting policy initiatives.

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What they’re saying

“We're neighbors. So when they feel pain, we do too. When they got a cold, we got the flu.”

— Mabel Lamb, Executive Director, Sherman Park Community Association (jsonline.com)

“We are cutting through barriers. We are cutting through food insecurity. We are cutting through the idea that our neighborhood has to wait for help.”

— Russell Stamper II, Alderman (jsonline.com)

What’s next

Elected officials have pledged to introduce policy measures that will help expand and protect food access in the community, building on the success of the community fridge network.

The takeaway

The community-driven response to the grocery store closure, including the launch of a network of five community fridges, demonstrates the power of grassroots solutions to address pressing issues like food insecurity. This model could serve as an inspiration for other neighborhoods facing similar challenges.