by: The Dirt
Take what you need, leave what you can. That’s the idea behind the Freedge movement—free, community refrigerators and shelf spaces ready to be stocked with produce, pantry staples, and prepared foods donated by neighbors and businesses.
A new community Freedge shelf has been installed at the Davis Food Co-op, expanding space for food and giving. It’s large, eyecatching, and like many things in Davis, collaboratively created to double as a work of art.
“Mutual aid and art are not mutually exclusive concepts,” Jord Nelson, sculptor and Executive Director of Third Space Art Collective, told The Dirt. “Both are missions that expose human deficits in societal duties to support our communities. Contrary to popular belief, art is driven by community involvement, just as mutual aid is. A vibrant arts community infuses curiosity, growth, and empathy.”
The new Co-op Freedge was built at Third Space including Nelson, local Freedge organizer Lauren Adams, Rick “Chief” Poe, Anneke Schoustra, and others. It was painted by artist Will Durkee, along with some helpful assistants. The process took several months, starting late fall 2025 and wrapping up in early February.
Davis is home to five Freedges:
- The Davis Food Co-op
- UC Davis Student Farm
- UC Davis Memorial Union
- Quaker House Davis (Davis Friends Meeting)
- Eureka Avenue, near the high school
“Get involved in your community and start a conversation about food insecurity, food waste and the food system,” reads the Davis Freedge website. “Freedge is a free sharing space used not only for food, but also stories, art and ideas!”
Image courtesy: Will Durkee and Lauren Adams.
