Cochrane's free food shed has been operational for a month now, and organizers say that the give and take are working out as it should.

Located in the parking lot of St. Andrew's United Church, the Helping Hands Free Food Shed was brought to life by the students of Cochrane's Building Futures Program, Kingsmith Homes and Big Hill Electrical Services; and it features shelves, a pantry space, a fridge and a freezer for Cochranites to 'take what you want and give what you can.'

Helping Hands Executive Director, Chairra Nicolle says that at first, Cochranites were hesitant to 'take' food donations from the food shed, but now, one month into its operation, the food exchange program has caught on in the Cochrane community.

"We have seen lots of turnover in the free food shed, people are picking up and people are donating," says Nicolle. "Every day it's being restocked by either volunteers or members in the community."

Generous food donations continue to come in at the food shed, but Nicolle says that the perishable donations, get snatched up just as quickly as they come in.

"We are seeing it dwindle especially in the fridge and freezer," says Nicolle. "A lot of the fresh produce and dairy products are going over really quickly --within ours of getting donated."

With the high turnover of fresh produce and dairy, Nicolle says that it's been harder to keep the fridge and freezer stocked. She the free food shed is always in need of perishable food donations.

"If you're heading to the grocery store and you pick up a jug of milk, maybe pick up a jug for the fridge on your way home too," says Nicole. "Fresh produce, dairy items, and then anything frozen. Frozen lasagna, chicken fingers, frozen veggies are great."

The Helping Hands Society of Cochrane & Area Free Food Shed and the Cochrane Activettes Food Bank work together collectively.

Nicolle says that the food shed is able to address short-term food security, but she recommends that anyone needing longer-term assistance reach out to the food bank.

The free food shed is open for residents to access 24 hours a day, seven days a week and it's located at 128 1st Street East in Cochrane.