Our interview with Bethanie Farrell from The Giving Fridge

We interviewed Bethanie Farrell, founder of The Giving Fridge and Everything Nice! Enjoy!

Q: What is The Giving Fridge?

A: “The Giving Fridge is a program that I started in December 2020 in response to a few things going on in town…One reason was empty spaces in our downtown due to the pandemic and some construction projects. Additionally, restaurants were struggling and people needed access to healthy food. I started the first iteration of The Giving Fridge in an empty storefront down the block. It dovetails really well with the VEE program because I’m buying meals from local restaurants and giving them to anyone in need. The Giving Fridge has an emphasis on menus that work for various health conditions and dietary restrictions. A lot of folks who are coming for meals are going through medical treatments, dealing with cancer, degenerative diseases–where food really has an impact. So, while we serve anyone who needs meals, there’s an emphasis on medically tailored meals.”

Q: What is Everything Nice, the other side to your VEE distribution?

A: “When I first started, the concept was that I would sell house plants to raise money for the meals. For the first 6 months, we did just that. The initial plan was for it to be a 2 week project, raising money for 250 meals. We quickly surpassed that goal and kept getting support, people were buying plants and there was demand for the meals. And so, it never stopped. It kept growing! Now, we have a permanent location on Merchant’s Row, the old Steve’s Park Diner, in Middlebury. We sell house plants and local VT items. 70% of our funds go to meals. So, we’re able to supplement and go beyond and keep up with the demand for meals. It’s a collaboration with all the grants I’m getting, with Everyone Eats…So, Everything Nice is basically the home of The Giving Fridge. Its purpose is to support the meal program.”

 Q: What has been your favorite part about running The Giving Fridge?

A: “My favorite part is being able to serve the community and at the same time provide a place of joy for people to come and pick up their meals. Whether you’re here to buy a plant, or here to buy a meal, or both, it’s just sparking joy and giving people a brighter moment in their day. So, interacting with folks in the community, collaborating with folks in the community, and really just making people’s days a little nicer.”

Q: Do you have a favorite plant and why?

A: “The one I’m currently loving is the foxia japonica because…I don’t know, I just love it! It really changes for me. I also love the desert rose, it kind of looks like a Dr. Seuss plant. I’m really into sculptural plants. Like, the donkey tail is searching for the light. Unique plants take on their own story through their shape You can tell how far away it was from the sun and different ways it sought what it needed.”