Every day in Hong Kong, there are about 3,000 tonnes of food waste. Most of them are still consumable, but they are sent to landfills. However, in the community, there are over a million elderly or grassroots people who do not have enough food to eat. Excessive leftover food leads to wastage and increases the burden of landfills. A series of problems caused by food waste have a wide impact on the economy, people’s livelihood, environmental pollution and social development. In view of this, Food Commons Foundation’s Food Sharing Action was officially launched in 2009. It is the first food sharing action in Hong Kong that combines environmental protection and community mutual assistance. With a focus on the community, it connects groups from different districts to establish a resource network that can tackle the problem of food waste. 

Collect leftover resources  Committed to solving food waste problem 

By connecting different social welfare organizations, environmental groups, the government and industrial and commercial sectors in the society, the Foundation continues to work hard and work together with them to solve the problem of food waste and redefine the position of edible and unexpired leftover food. Through assortment and selection, collectors and volunteers process the collected surplus food and share it with people in need in the community. Meanwhile, food sharing action will search for other workable food upcycling solutions. For example, in 2019, Upcycled Food Party was Hong Kong's first new concept demonstration charity event with the theme of Upcycling Leftover Food. It showcased new products from upcycling leftover food and shared various ways to cherish food with participants through workshops. At the end of 2018, the Foundation initiated the largest scale event, Action to Save Mandarin. It turned a huge number of to-be-discarded Xinhui mandarin pulps into jam and dried fruits and solved the problem of food waste. 

Leftover food collection and sharing action in 16 districts in Hong Kong  Continue to collect leftover food resources from various major markets, restaurants and merchants 

Food Commons Foundation connects with many merchants and non-proft making organizations and carries out leftover food collection and sharing action in 16 districts in Hong Kong, namely Tsuen Wan, Kwai Fong, Tsing Yi, Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long, Fanling, Sheung Shui, Shatin, Tai Wai, Ma On Shan, Fo Tan, Tai Po, Hung Hom, To Kwa Wan, Sheung Wan and Causeway Bay. It has also been encouraging people from all walks of life to support and participate, with the hope to expand the leftover food collection and sharing action to all 18 districts in Hong Kong and promote community experience in dealing with leftover food and food waste to the public. It promotes a food-wise culture and at the same time reduces food waste and shares resources with those in need. 

Original article：https://www.weekendhk.com/1611215