2024-09-20
From August 2023 to July 2024, the Food Commons Foundation and its regional partners collected 612,681.33 kg of food and distributed 602,118.08 kg, achieving a 98.28% distribution rate, with a total of 646,207 beneficiary instances. Since June 2009 to July 2024, the food recovery and sharing project has collected a total of 11,220,060.99 kg of food, with a total distribution of 10,653,851.76 kg, accounting for 94.95%, with a total of 9,801,359 beneficiary instances. Cherishing food and reducing waste not only directly reduces food waste and alleviates the burden on landfills but also provides food support for those in need, easing their economic pressure and creating green job opportunities, achieving multiple benefits.
With the completion of the Food Commons NT project in May this year, regional partners in Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai, Fanling, Sheung Shui, Tsuen Wan, Kwai Fong, and Tsing Yi can only continue food sharing activities on a volunteer basis, inevitably affecting services. However, the Food Commons@Shatin project, funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund, continues to operate, starting its fourth year of service in August. From June 18 to July 15 this year, the Food Commons Foundation, in collaboration with the Shatin Women's Association, Action Health, Tin Shui Wai Community Development Network, and Women's Service Association, conducted a community surplus food sharing survey, interviewing 307 beneficiaries of food recovery and sharing. Among the respondents, 79% were 60 years old or above, reflecting the urgent need for food sharing among the elderly population.
The survey results show that 67% of respondents received surplus food sharing 1-2 times per week, while 21% received it 5 days a week, highlighting a stable demand for food sharing. More importantly, 84% of respondents believed that surplus food sharing activities were beneficial to their health, and 92% found it helpful economically. These figures clearly demonstrate the significant impact of food sharing programs on improving citizens' quality of life.
During this period, our team recovered fresh vegetables, fruits, and bread from markets and shops in Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai, Fanling, Sheung Shui, Sha Tin, Tai Wai, Ma On Shan, Tsuen Wan, Kwai Fong, and Tsing Yi. We also received large batches of packaged food and drinks from suppliers, sharing them with local residents. Over half of the recipients were elderly, along with low-income families, CSSA recipients, general families, single-parent families, and persons with disabilities. In Fo Tan, Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O, To Kwa Wan, Hung Hom, Sheung Wan, and Causeway Bay, volunteer teams collected and shared bread and meal boxes with cleaning workers, homeless individuals, scavengers, elderly, and local residents, working together to cherish food and help others.
Meanwhile, we continued to collaborate with various suppliers, maintaining a stable volume of large-batch food recovery. Currently, the ratio of fresh food to packaged food is 6:4. Over half of the food we share consists of vegetables and fruits, with other items including packaged foods, bread, dairy products, soy products, fruit juices and other beverages, grains, canned goods, and hot meals.
In terms of community education, regional partners collaborated with schools and local social service organizations across multiple districts. University students participated in market recovery and sharing activities lasting several months, collecting surplus food and kitchen waste, enhancing their understanding of food waste issues and resource conservation. In parent-child market recovery activities, participants assisted in collecting food, deepening their understanding of the food recovery and sharing process. Additionally, multiple market recovery experience sessions and lectures on cherishing food were organized, attracting participants of all ages. These activities not only promoted food appreciation among participants but also encouraged community service. Participants expressed that these activities were meaningful and educational. Through hands-on participation in food recovery and sharing, everyone contributed to the community, experiencing the power of unity and mutual assistance, and spreading the culture of cherishing food.
Over the past year, the Food Commons Foundation, along with regional partners and volunteer teams, has been helping people through food rescue via various projects such as "Food Commons NT", "Environment and Conservation Fund - Food Commons@Shatin," and "Food Commons". Among these, the "Food Commons NT" project, which involved services in Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai, Fanling, Sheung Shui, Tsuen Wan, Kwai Fong, and Tsing Yi, completed in May this year. Due to funding interruptions, some organizations will not be able to continue food recovery and distribution in certain areas. A monthly donation of HK$300 can help provide basic vegetables for one beneficiary each month. Please support our ongoing food rescue work!
Donation (excluding Environmental Protection Fund projects) please go to the following link:
https://foodcommons.hk/en/donations
If you agree with our philosophy and have fundraising ideas, we welcome you to conduct fundraising actions for us!
https://foodcommons.hk/en/fundraising
If you are part of food production and sales, or know of vendors willing to donate food they can't handle daily, please donate food at the following link:
https://foodcommons.hk/en/donate
If you're interested in volunteering to help share some still edible food from going to landfills, please become a volunteer at the following link:
https://foodcommons.hk/en/volunteers
If you would like to join the "Food Wiser" group and receive the latest food sharing news, please visit the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/foodwiser
Donations of HK$100 or above are eligible for tax deductions. Please provide your name, contact information, and address for receipt purposes. If you have any questions or would like to make a donation in other forms, please contact us at (2336 0678 / WhatsApp: 5400 2320). We also accept donations of goods.
Our environment and those we benefit appreciate your support!
Our Partners
Food Commons Foundation
Food Commons NT *
Environmental and Conservation Fund Food Commons@Shatin #
Food Commons ^
Address: Room 1312, 13/F, 26-28 Au Pui Wan Street, Fo Tan, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong.
Phone: 2336 0678
WhatsApp: 5400 2320
Tin Shui Wai Community Development Network
Food Commons NT (Tin Shui Wai / Yuen Long) *
Address: Room 12, G/F, Yue Kwai House, Tin Yuet Estate, Tin Shui Wai, Hong Kong
Phone: 3482 0654
https://www.facebook.com/tswfoodshare
Action Health
Food Commons NT (Fanling / Sheung Shui) *
Address: G/F, 10-12, 14-16 Luen Fat Street, Luen Wo Hui, Fanling, Hong Kong
Phone: 3176 7650
Women's Service Association
Food Commons NT (Tsuen Wan / Kwai Chung / Tsing Yi) *
Address: G/F, No. 5-6, Kwai On House, Kwai Fong Estate, Hong Kong
Address: G/F, No. 3, Nga Kwai House, Kwai Chung Estate, Hong Kong
Address: G/F, No. 10-14, Hong Sing House, Cheung Hong Estate, Tsing Yi, Hong Kong
Phone: 2449 0818
https://www.wsa.org.hk/food-sharing%20plan4.html
Shatin Women's Association
Environmental and Conservation Fund - Food Commons@Shatin (Shatin / Tai Wai / Ma On Shan) #
Address: 42A San Tin Estate, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
Phone: 2692 3000
Address: Wing A, Ground Floor, Li Wing House, Li On Estate, Ma On Shan, New Territories, Hong Kong
Phone: 2692 3300
https://www.facebook.com/ShaTinWomen/
* Project funded by Tsu Te Kian Charitable Trust (November 2019 - May 2024)
# Project funded by Environmental and Conservation Fund (started in August 2021)
^ Food Commons is a resource network under the Food Commons Foundation that aims to solve the problem of food waste in the community.