Today marked the third solar term of autumn, White Dew. It means that mid-autumn has begun. Summer heat gradually diminishes and the temperature difference between day and night becomes large. It is advised to add or remove clothes in a timely manner and pay attention to keeping the belly warm. The air humidity decreases after White Dew and we should take heed to nourish the lungs. When it comes to food, it is advised to mainly eat food that clears heat and moisturizes the body. e.g. cucumbers and winter melons. Taking in more orange and yellow vegetables like pumpkins is also recommended. Seasonal crops change with time. Consuming plants in season gives the benefit of less pesticides when the vegetables are planted and harvested at the best time. The taste is better, too. Also, as it is in season, the production is more while the price is less.

Last weekend, a typhoon hit and the weather was bad. Food sharing action was inevitably affected. Still, the rain will not diminish our enthusiasm and we will continue to act as usual afterwards. We will spread the action to Tsuen Kwan O district and increase bread collection points in all districts. Food sharing action very much needs your support and we sincerely invite you to become a volunteer. With your participation, we will be able to carry on cherishing food and helping others!

Last Monday (28 August) morning, a group of members in the Kwai Chung neighbourhood from Login Club of ELCHK participated in recycling experience trip jointly hosted by Food Commons Foundation and the district partner Women Service Association Food Commons @ NT West (Tsuen Wan, Kwai Fong and Tsing Yi). Some parents brought their children with them. They hoped that the little ones could understand that food was not easy to come by and should cherish it; Some members in the neighbourhood were also very curious about the food collection process and interested to join. 

“Hello! Did you eat? We have bread and sandwiches. Do you need them?” When volunteers were distributing food, they would discover new faces. He was a South-Asian that we had never seen before and he looked pale.   

“Thank you! Thank you very much! Thank you, pretty boys and pretty girls!”. After receiving food, he was surprised and grateful and kept saying thank you. It was like he got a big present.  

Although we did not understand about his situation, one serving of collected food comforting him for the moment was much more worthwhile than sending it to the landfills. 

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.