Cooking for a Community Fridge

[patti]

15 minutes ago, FauxPas said:

 

Are you providing all the containers yourself? And I guess you need new ones each time? 

Yes, and yes. 

[Smithy]

I am very, very impressed with what you're doing and how well you're doing it!

 

Since you're looking for ideas, and given the photos you've posted, I wonder whether you've done any sort of baked potato casserole, with cheese, cream, even maybe an appropriate meat? Here's where I got the idea for something I wanted to try duplicating sometime, and this recipe  looked like a good starting point for my attempts at duplication. (I still haven't gotten to it.) 

 

What about macaroni and cheese, with ham if you can find it? Tuna and noodle casserole?

 

My best friend and her husband have cooked on occasion for a homeless shelter in their area. One she remembers is called "Dump and Bake Chicken Alfredo". They literally dumped all the ingredients into the pan, baked and served. She remembers chunks of raw chicken, pasta, milk, and either cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup. (She's looking right now for the recipe to see what the cooking time and temperature is, but not finding it.) There is a meatball and marinara sauce version that starts with cooked meatballs. She says that when they've made that dish they've assembled it, baked and been ready to serve all within an hour.

 

Edited to add: she hasn't found the chicken recipe, but she sent me a meatball and rice recipe. I've attached a PDF of it.

Dump and Bake Italian Meatball and Rice Casserole.PDF

Edited 3 hours ago by Smithy
Added recipe and comment (log)

[patti]

 

 

I was just contemplating ham and mac’n cheese! Will be discussing soon.

 

Here’s my current working list of ideas from notes on my phone. Asterisked ones are things I’ve done (which doesn’t mean I won’t do again). The second pic is something called “Hobo Stew,” which looks really good. I’d change the name, though! I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. 🤷🏼‍♀️

 

Smithy, thank you so much. I’ve saved the pdf and I’ll be checking out the links!

 

 

 

 

Hobo Stew is a recipe I’ve been looking at, as well.

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by patti (log)

[Shelby]

I've been thinking (I'm getting older so it's a slower process lol) and I'll post ideas when they come to me.  I'm keeping in mind that some ingredients are expensive...but I figure I'll put out my ideas anyway and maybe they can be modified etc. to be cheaper if needed.

 

People always seem to like the ever present (at least around here) broccoli salad:

 

Broccoli florets (could also add cauliflower florets)

Chopped red onion (or white)

Shredded sharp cheddar 

Crispy bacon 

Optional: roasted sunflower seeds (but adds a lot imo)

 

Dressing: Stir up  mayo (not miracle whip) sugar and red wine vinegar.  Salt and and pepper to taste.

 

(google will give you lots of recipes if you need amounts but I think you cook like I do and just wing it lol)

 

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Red beans and rice with andouille and like a fruit side or salad side?

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Some kind of gumbo--probably chicken would be on the less expensive side or sausage?

 

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I think the baked potato idea is great--maybe chili for the topping?  Those little containers could hold some sour cream, diced green onions and shredded cheese?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JeanneCake]

On 11/7/2025 at 9:04 AM, patti said:

 

I have some 2 oz lidded containers, but it would be a paltry amount of fruit, I fear. Adding various containers for condiments or toppings/extras has been on my mind, but added expense and time are the bugaboos.

 

small snack size or sandwich size ziploc bags would be ideal for that sort of thing.

 

I'm also thinking I should send you some of the Rancho Gordo beans I haven't had time to use! 

 

Thank you for doing this.  Food insecurity is one thing that absolutely breaks my heart and I've been doing as much as I can these last few weeks; I'm  using coupons from warehouse clubs to buy toiletries and diapers for local food banks; and the little bits of things we don't use (a leftover half case of pears, milk that "expires" in a few days from a delivery instead of the usual 20-30 days) and when it feels insurmountable, I remember that  we are all part of a rising tide to lift our fellow boats so they don't sink.