The Street Pantry
An Inclusive Food Space and Sharing Initiative at Lyngsies Plads
The Street Pantry is a public food-sharing initiative that fosters inclusive outdoor food activities while strengthening social resilience in Nørrebro, Copenhagen. Located in the square of Lyngsies Plads, the project combines a community fridge and a solidarity café to tackle food insecurity and reduce the stigma around food redistribution. By offering an accessible, non-judgmental space for sharing surplus food, the initiative empowers vulnerable residents, provides opportunities to engage with public spaces, and reinforces the social fabric of the neighborhood.
2024
Spatial design
Food Spaces in the city
This booklet is an anthropological study that examines the relationship between urban spaces and formal and informal food consumption in Copenhagen. It critically explores who has access to public food spaces, questioning whether their design, location, and accessibility foster true inclusivity. Additionally, it addresses food security resources and their interaction with the urban landscape, highlighting the social and spatial dimensions of food access in the city.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
Inhabiting the Public Square: Formal study of Lyngsies Plads and the telefonkiosken Case
Across Copenhagen, old telephone kiosks have been repurposed into small food vendors, selling coffee, beer, and snacks while providing outdoor seating for year-round social interaction. This transformation reflects the city’s culture of kiosks and outdoor food consumption, showing how such interventions reshape public squares and informal gathering spaces. However, their private ownership limits inclusivity, highlighting the need for a community-owned alternative.
Lyngsies Plads, next to Lygten Station—a former train terminus now serving as a community center—brings together all the elements for such an initiative.With its existing social dynamics, public accessibility, and ongoing local food-related activities, it presents an opportunity to rethink food spaces as shared, inclusive, and community-driven.
Leisure Pleasure Nature
The Neighbor’s Eye
Social Resilience in Nørrebro
Nørrebro has undergone rapid urban transformations, leading to tensions between long-time residents, marginalized groups, and gentrified communities. The area around Lygten Station has historically been a site of informal economies, social gatherings, and contested public space. The Street Pantry responds to this socio-political landscape by fostering coexistence and creating a shared resource. By offering a neutral ground for social interaction—one that does not impose financial barriers or institutional control—the project encourages community-building and inclusivity while addressing the pressing issue of food waste and insecurity.
Site (55.7013, 12.5377)
Seasonal Sensibility in Public Space
Modern urban life has detached us from natural rhythms, mechanizing comfort and neutralizing seasonal variations. Yet, for those facing homelessness or food insecurity, these fluctuations remain inescapable. The Street Pantry addresses this disparity with a semi-sheltered infrastructure that shields users from harsh weather while maintaining an open, inviting public presence. Designed for Copenhagen’s climate, it integrates covered spaces, wind protection, and interior seating to ensure year-round accessibility.
The Dual-Purpose Design: A Café and a Community Fridge
To destigmatize food-sharing, the Street Pantry pairs a community fridge with an outdoor café, offering two distinct food transactions within one public square. The fridge provides free, unconditional food sharing, while the kiosk offers coffee and ready-to-eat meals on a pay-what-you-can model. This dual setup normalizes food-sharing in daily life and reduces stigma around food insecurity. Designed for inclusivity, the kiosk offers a warm indoor retreat for shelter and an open-air counter for those who prefer minimal interaction.
