TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – A Tucson nonprofit is clashing with the Pima County Health Department over free food distribution.
The Pima County Health Department issued the Tucson FREEdge a notice of violation Monday, May 18, for providing food to the public without a permit. The Consumer Health and Food Safety Division said they received a complaint about a refrigerator serving free food to people in a parking lot and determined the site was not in compliance with food codes.
Representatives from the Tucson FREEdge said those codes don’t apply to them and that they’re acting within their rights to share food with the community.
Community refrigerator serves hundreds weekly
For nearly five months, the community refrigerator has been feeding hundreds of people every week through individual donations and restaurant leftovers.
“It comes in, they put it in the community refrigerator, people take out what they need, it’s pretty cool,” said Gecko, an attendant for the Tucson FREEdge.
In a statement, the Health Department said they require a permit for any businesses or organizations serving food that’s hot, cold, or temperature controlled in any way. The department said the warning is an opportunity to correct the issue before further action is taken.
The FREEdge’s executive director said they’re not doing anything wrong, arguing they’re not giving out food, but simply providing a place for people to share it.
Visitors say service fills critical need
Amber Williams, who has utilized the Tucson Freedge, said the warning feels like an overreaction.
“Food shouldn’t be thrown away, especially if it’s got lifespan to it, you know what I’m saying? There’s enough people on the streets that we could really utilize something like this,” Williams said.
She said having access to a 24/7 distribution site has been a game changer for her, and that food safety had never been a concern.
“I don’t want them to shut this down. This is not something I feel like that Tucson should be able to touch,” Williams said.
Gecko said if the Health Department takes further action with the site, it could hurt community members like Williams.
“If this went away, we wouldn’t be able to reach — literally we’ve reached thousands of people. So that would be a thousand people on a weekly basis or more who wouldn’t have something to eat,” Gecko said.
Williams said she believes the warning wasn’t issued due to food safety concerns, but because the fridge attracts homeless and lower-income individuals. She said resources like this not only reduce food waste but can also be a lifeline for people struggling to find their next meal.
“Whether it’s for their habit or not, it’s the fact that people are fighting over food and we shouldn’t have to,” Williams said. “America — we waste enough food.”
The FREEdge’s executive director said she expects health inspectors to come back at some point, but said she’s prepared to defend the operation and continue protecting their right to share food.
====================================================
Are you streaming 13 News?
Watch a free live stream of Tucson Now and 13 News at TucsonNow.Live.
Be sure to download the free Tucson Now app which you can find on Apple and Google.
If you are using a desktop computer, you can use your mobile device to scan the QR code below.
You can submit your breaking news or weather images here.
Copyright 2026 13 News. All rights reserved.
