(Re)Framing the 'Smart' Fridge: Configurable Technology for Activist Food-Sharing Communities

This paper explores the potential of (re)framing the smart fridge to facilitate asynchronous food-sharing practices within activist communities. Empirical data were gathered through a co-design study with FoodSharing Stockholm community members between March 2022 and December 2023. This investigation delved into the opportunities and challenges of incorporating a smart fridge into their activist efforts towards local food waste reduction. Our findings highlight managing fairness, cleaning and maintenance, and community building as crucial considerations in designing for such activist, community settings. We introduce design concepts for four adaptable and configurable smart devices to modify existing community fridges and address the above considerations. This paper contributes to HCI by illustrating the intricate relations between ‘making an impact’, ‘building community’, and the design of ‘engagement through technology’ within food-sharing communities. It underscores the significance of designing smart fridges for activist food-sharing communities with a purpose that goes beyond mere functionality, emphasising the need to consider the broader social implications of digital interventions in facilitating local food waste reduction and community building.