on.cc Oriental Daily February 24, 2026 (Tue)

The new Financial Budget will be announced tomorrow (25), but grassroots livelihood support is facing a crisis of disruption. The results of a survey on the opinions of food recycling and sharing program recipients published today (24) show that if the relevant services are interrupted due to the termination of the grant, the life stress of nearly 70 per cent of the recipients will surge to a critical point. The recipients said the food savings saved by the scheme had become a "life-saving money" for purchasing medicines and school supplies for their children, and called on the authorities to implement "precision poverty alleviation" and continue the funding mechanism for community food recycling projects.

The Food Commons Foundation interviewed 103 recipients, mainly senior citizens and grassroots families, between January 21 and February 3 this year. The survey found that 50.5% of households surveyed saved more than HK$500 in food expenses per month due to the plan, with 13.6% saving more than HK$1,000. This extra resource is crucial for poor families. One beneficiary revealed that the money saved will allow the family to buy Ocean Park tickets in a few months. "The whole family has not been so happy in a long time."

In addition to economic benefits, the aid significantly improved the health and psychological quality of recipients. 93.2% of respondents said they increased their intake of fresh fruits and vegetables to cope with high prices while balancing nutrition. In addition, all respondents said they felt care and respect during the collection process, with nearly 60 percent saying they “often” felt this way. Project manager Carol Kwok stressed that every HK$1 donated can be converted into about HK$6.50 of fresh and nutritious food, which is a model of low-cost, high-return poverty alleviation.

Funding for relevant street market recycling projects is facing an end as government policy shifts towards large kitchen waste disposal facilities. The survey shows that if services are terminated next year due to lack of funding, up to 68.9% of respondents said their stress score would be as high as 7 or more (10 is the highest). The Fund calls on the authorities to affirm the integrated value of the scheme in poverty alleviation, environmental protection and community care with a “one dollar, multiple effects” perspective to avoid a breakdown in the safety net.

Original URL: On the eve of the budget, groups call for precise poverty alleviation, continuation of food recycling, sharing safety net | on.cc Eastern Network | China, Hong Kong and Taiwan

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