2023-08-25
Food Commons Foundation and the district partners collect and share surplus food in different areas every day. In the past year from August 2022 to July 2023, a total of 459,483.80 kgs of food were collected and 456,245.396 kgs were distributed reaching 99.30%; the total number of beneficiaries was 485,077. From June 2009 to July 2023, a total of 10,607,379.66 kgs of food were collected and the total distribution volume was 10,084,655.63 kgs accounting for 95.07%; the total number of beneficiaries was 9,155,152.
Lately, district teams have gone to markets and talked to vendors about post-pandemic business situation. Most vegetable stall owners said that the turnover dropped instead of increasing. Citizens’ consumption desire is low. Ordering less also means that the collection of leftover vegetables relatively decreases. It is reported that since summer vacation begins, the number of consumers going to the mainland surges resulting in weak business. With rising operating costs and the pressure of increasing rents, some stall owners said that they had thought of closing down the business. Also, the closing down of some bigger vegetable stalls in other districts affected the collection volume. While the pandemic is easing and things are getting back to normal, raw materials and the comprehensive productivity cannot keep up and the prices tend to increase. Leftover food collection volume still has not reached the pre-pandemic level. However, the team can contribute to reducing food waste and feel the joy of the neighbours when sharing food with them. We will continue to keep up with the good work.
For educational activities, there have been wet market recycling experience activities for family and university students, and food recycling volunteers experience activities recently. All participants thought that the recycling activities were very meaningful. In the process, they helped food collectors collect leftover vegetables. They took action to practice and comprehend. Students thought that the collectors’ work required lots of labour and it was a hard job. They appreciated the persistence of them. Also, students thought that the distribution of surplus food to families in need through recycling activities was worthwhile. The food did not go to waste and the people in need received help. Lots of students said they were inspsired through these activities and would pay more attention to cherish resources and the environment, so more people could receive the help they needed. They would introduce and promote Hong Kong’s recycling industry to the people around them as well.
Food Commons Foundation, in recent months, received funding to promote and recruit volunteers as well as expand leftover food collection and sharing points covering Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories. Volunteers in each district take action to contribute to the society, reducing food waste and helping those in need.
In the last year, Food Commons Foundation together with district partners and volunteer teams collected edible food that was soon-to-be discarded due to various business operations reasons through “Food Commons @ NT West”, “ECF Food Commons @ Shatin”, “Food Commons @ NT”, “Food Commons” projects, covering 16 districts, Tsuen Wan, Kwai Fong, Tsing Yi, Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long, Tuen Mun, Shatin, Tai Wai, Ma On Shan, Fo Tan, Tai Po, Fanling, To Kwa Wan, Hung Hom, Sheung Wan and Causeway Bay. The food types were mainly vegetables and fruits. Others included packaged food, soy products, rice, canned food, bread, diary drinks, etc. The main beneficiaries were the elderly and also low-income families, CSSA recipients, general families, elderly people who lived alone, single-parent families, the disabled, etc.
For years, Food Commons Foundation have been promoting food collection and sharing through action, reducing the load of landfills, creating green employment opportunities and benefitting people who need food assistance which is a three-win situation. Current district partners include Women Service Association, Tin Shui Wai Community Development Network, Action Health and Shatin Women's Association. Now Food Commons volunteer teams cover To Kwa Wan, Hung Hom, Fo Tan, Tai Po, Fanling, Sheung Wan and Causeway Bay. Members in these neighbourhoods will collect surplus bread and meal boxes of their district and give out to the cleaners, scavengers, the elderly, other members in the neighbourhood, the homeless, etc. for cherishing food and reducing waste together.
A monthly donation of HK$300 will help one beneficiary with the basic food for a month. Please support so we can continue to save food!
For donation (excluding projects funded by Environment and Conservation Fund), please go to the following link:
https://foodcommons.hk/tc/
If you agree with our concepts and have good ideas for raising funds, you are welcome to join our fundraising activities.
https://foodcommons.hk/tc/
If you belong to food production and sales, or know that some vendors are willing to donate unprocessed food every day, please visit the following food donation link:
https://foodcommons.hk/tc/
If you would like to be a volunteer and help in sharing edible food and saving it from being sent to landfills, please go to the following link:
https://foodcommons.hk/tc/
If you would like to cherish food and reduce waste, welcome to join our Food Wiser Group and receive the latest food sharing news:
https://www.facebook.com/
Donation of HK$100 or above is eligible for tax deduction. If a receipt is needed, please provide donor’s name, contact number, email address and correspondence address.
If you have any questions or you would like to donate in other ways, please immediately contact us. (Tel: 2336 0678 / WhatsApp：5400 2320)
Our environment and beneficiaries are grateful for your support!
Food rescue partners include:
Food Commons Foundation
Food Commons @ NT * / Project name: ECF Food Commons @ Shatin # / Food Commons ^
Address: Room 1312, 13/F, 26-28 Au Pui Wan Street, Fo Tan, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong
Tel：2336 0678
WhatsApp：5400 2320
https://www.foodcommons.hk/
Women Service Association
Food Commons @ NT West (Tsuen Wan, Kwai Fong and Tsing Yi) *
Address: Ground Floor, 5-6, Kwai On House, Kwai Fong Estate
Address: Ground Floor, 3, Nga Kwai House, Kwai Chung Estate
Address: Ground Floor, 10-14, Hong Shing House, Cheung Hong Estate, Tsing Yi
Tel：2449 0818
https://www.wsa.org.hk/food-
Tin Shui Wai Community Development Network
Food Commons @ NT (Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long) *
Address: Room 12, Ground Floor, Yuet Kwai House, Tin Yuet Estate, Tin Shui Wai
Tel：3482 0654
https://www.facebook.com/
Action Health
Food Commons @ NT (Fanling / Sheung Shui) *
Address: Ground Floor, 10-12, 14-16, Luen Fat Street, Luen Wo Hui, Fanling
Tel：3176 7650
http://www.ah.org.hk/
Shatin Women's Association
ECF Food Commons @ Shatin (Shatin / Tai Wai / Ma On Shan) #
Address: 42A, San Tin Village, Shatin
Tel：2692 3000
Address: Wing A, Ground Floor, Lee Wing House, Lee On Estate, Ma On Shan
Tel：2692 3300
https://www.facebook.com/
* Projects funded by Tsu Te Kian Charitable Trust (since November 2019)
# Projects funded by Environment and Conservation Fund (since August 2021)
^ Food Commons is a community-based resource network under the Food Commons Foundation to solve the problem of surplus food