Government can build a win-win food rescue mechanism

SCMP Hong Kong society Opinion / Letters

Letters Published: 10 Aug 2026

Hong Kong discards about 3,000 tonnes of food waste every day – over one million tonnes annually – much of it still edible. At the same time, grass-roots families and elderly citizens struggle with nutrition. The Food Commons Foundation urges the government, in the 2026 policy address, to establish a food rescue mechanism.

Specifically, we propose a 150 per cent green tax deduction under the Inland Revenue Ordinance to encourage enterprises to directly fund food rescue charities.

Second, government tenders should be adjusted so surplus food is intercepted before it can be disposed of, and part of waste budgets can be reallocated for frontline poverty alleviation.

Third, idle public market stalls and space should be provided at symbolic rent for food recovery groups, and there should be a “Good Samaritan” food donation clause to remove legal concerns.

Our projects have cumulatively recovered over 11,467 tonnes of edible food since 2009, benefiting 10.23 million people. Analysis shows that every HK$1 invested in food recovery yields HK$6.50 in social value. This reduces landfill waste, lowers healthcare costs, helps businesses meet ESG (environmental, social and governance) goals and improves nutrition for vulnerable communities.

We envision a four-way win-win framework involving government, businesses, charities and grass-roots citizens.

Oriental Daily News, March 16, 2026, A6 Edition

[Reported by this newspaper] The Food Commons Foundation held a "Step by Step: Food Save Walkathong" event in Tai Wai yesterday. The food recycling walk started from San Tin Tsuen in Tai Wai, passing through Che Kung Temple, Tai Wai Market, and The Wai. Along the way, experienced recyclers and volunteers explained the "collect and distribute within the area" food recycling model, sharing their daily experiences of "saving food" in markets and shops, recycling, sorting, and distributing food on the same day, transforming potentially discarded food into community support.

Yahoo News

am730

Sunday, March 15, 2026

The Food Commons Foundation held a "Step by Step:Foo dSAve Walkathong" event today (15th). Through tea gatherings, food distribution experiences, and guided community walks, the event aimed to help citizens gain a deeper understanding of the current situation regarding food waste and grassroots food assistance in Hong Kong, and to facilitate face-to-face interactions with beneficiary elderly and their families. The walking route started from San Tin Tsuen in Tai Wai, passing through Che Kung Temple, Tai Wai Market, and The Wai Shopping Centre. Along the way, experienced recyclers and volunteers explained the "collect and distribute in the same area" model, sharing how to collect, sort, and distribute food in markets and shops on the same day, transforming potentially discarded ingredients into community support.

Food Commons Foundation Chairman Leung Kam-tim and Sha Tin District Councillor Law Yuen-pui, Chairperson of the Sha Tin Women's Association and Sha Tin District Councillor, delivered speeches, emphasizing the importance of community food rescue and assistance efforts in the context of poverty and an aging population. Leung Kam-tim pointed out that experiential activities like guided community walks help citizens understand recycling operations and establish the concepts of "leftover food can be reused" and "food conservation starts in the community."

Readers discuss an opportunity to prioritise poverty alleviation for the city’s most vulnerable

The financial secretary’s 2026-27 budget, reporting a surplus of HK$2.9 billion in the consolidated account, provides a prime opportunity to prioritise targeted poverty alleviation for the city’s most vulnerable. While the government celebrates a return to fiscal health, our frontline data suggests that the social safety net for the grass roots remains under immense strain.

A recent survey conducted by the Food Commons Foundation between January 21 and February 3, involving 103 beneficiaries – most of whom are senior citizens – highlights a looming crisis.

If community food recovery services were suspended due to termination of government subsidies, 68.9 per cent of these individuals warned that their life stress would surge to a “breaking point”. For our elderly on limited budgets, food recovery is not merely an environmental gesture; it is a critical economic lifeline.

Hong Kong Economic Times 2026/02/21

[Lunar New Year 2026/Lei Seal Cap Recycling 2026/Lunar New Year Food Recycling/Poon Choi Bag Recycling/Peach Blossom Recycling] Many families will use leftover red packets, Lunar New Year foods, Poon Choi bags or even peach blossoms. This year, several environmental organizations also held recycling activities. 

The Food Commons Foundation recycling campaign

Recycling date: from now on

am730 2026-Feb-24

The food Commons Foundation conducted a survey of beneficiaries of the Sha Tin District Food Recycling and Sharing Scheme from January 21 to February 3, interviewing 103 recipients, mainly seniors over 60 and grassroots families. The results showed that the program succeeded in turning limited resources into far-reaching social returns. The Fund calls on the government to affirm the diverse social benefits of such programs when examining resource use and continue support for community food recycling projects.