Chairman: The government has a recurring surplus of $5 billion, but there is no precise poverty alleviation at the grassroots level

Survey: Food recycling stopped, nearly 70% of recipients' pressure soared Fund promotes the continuation of funding, balancing environmental protection and people's livelihood

【February 25, 2026. Hong Kong] Finance Secretary Mr Paul Chan Mau-po today released the Financial Budget 2026/27. The Food Commons Fondation (hereinafter referred to as the “Fund”) expressed concern, noting that the government has yet to see “precision poverty alleviation” measures targeting the grassroots amid an expected “recurring surplus” of about $5 billion. The fund’s recipient survey also showed that if community food recycling services are interrupted due to the termination of grants, the life stress of nearly 70 per cent of grassroots citizens will surge to a “critical point”.

Chairman Leung Kin-tim: Surplus should be converted into precision assistance. Environmental protection and people's livelihood should not be chosen

Shared Food Fund chairman and registered social worker Leung Kin-tin said the budget did not respond to the need for employment training for grassroots families and youth, which was disappointing. “According to the budget, the government is expected to record a ‘recurring surplus’ of about $5 billion in 2026/27, reflecting an improvement in the day-to-day financial situation and should be more active in providing precise assistance to the grassroots,” he said.

"Although the budget increases investment in large kitchen waste treatment facilities (such as O·PARK2), we are concerned about whether the relevant allocations can bring social benefits at the same time. Instead of developing hardware alone, we should support 'one-dollar multi-effects' livelihood projects such as food recycling, which are both environmentally friendly and poverty alleviation," Leung continued.

Food recycling program is a 'life-saving money' for grassroots families, survey reveals

The fund interviewed 103 recipients from January 21 to February 3 this year, and the results showed that community food recycling services are critical to grassroots families:

• Financial support: 50.5% of households surveyed save more than $500 per month and 13.6% save more than $1,000. Some families said the money was “life-saving money” for purchasing medicines and children’s supplies, and even allowed their children to relax at Ocean Park.

• Nutrition and dignity: 93.2% due to plans to increase fresh fruit and vegetable intake;

• Breaking crisis: Should funding termination result in service disruption, 68.9% of life stress scores would soar to 7 or above (10 out of 10), reflecting that the social safety net is at risk of breaking.

Urge the government to continue funding to unleash the social value of "one dollar, multiple effects"

Leung stressed that every $1 of funding invested can be converted into about $6.50 of fresh and nutritious food, which is an extremely cost-effective way to alleviate poverty.

The fund appeals to the government to:

• Continuation of funding mechanism: Retain and strengthen funding for street market food recycling projects while promoting large kitchen waste facilities.

• Combining environmental protection and poverty alleviation: Combine environmental allocations with grassroots employment training (such as the Youth Recycling Ambassador Program) to implement true “precision poverty alleviation”.

The fund expects the government to listen to grassroots voices and not forget the most vulnerable while pursuing economic growth.