While governmental efforts have allowed for the increase in the awareness of food waste, NGOs and businesses are important stakeholders too in tackling the food waste issue.
- NGOs.
To prevent unnecessary food wastage, Government body such as the NEA has to work together with NGOs to effectively in assisting food donation for families and household in need. Some of the example in Singapore is Food from the heart (FFTH), Willing Hearts and the Food Bank of Singapore. FFTH is set up by an Australian couple living in Singapore back in 2003 based on the mission to bring joy and happiness and alleviate hunger. More importantly, they channel excess bread from bakeries to people in need. This clearly shows their attempt in curbing food wastage in Singapore. This shows that NGOs acts as beneficial intermediaries in Singapore’s movement towards a “.Zero Food Waste Sg”.
With this infographic adapted from FFTH 2016 financial report reveals the success of alleviating hunger in Singapore that indirectly translate to a decrease in the amount of food wasted in Singapore, albeit it being a small portion. To find out more about FFTH and their programs, click here to be part of their team!
- Businesses
Business are important stakeholders in alleviating the food waste situation in Singapore as they often create high volume of food wastage with trimmings, food peels and even leftovers. Companies such as Sakae Holdings and NTUC takes active changes in their food preparation and disposal methods to ensure minimal food goes to waste
A report by Channel NewsAsia (CNA) on Hei Sushi revealed their practice of utilising their food trimmings to prepare other dishes – use of salmon bits that are rejected for sashimi as salad toppings and fish bone as soup stock. These practices maximises the profits of the company as cost are reduced with having to handle the food waste. Even Grand Hyatt, one of the hotels in Singapore has taken action in using their food waste as fertilisers for their in house gardens since 2016 with the use of a Biomax Thermophilic Digester.
NTUC, the nation’s leading supermarket has started a new initiated this year to deal with cosmetic perfection. Ugly fruits and vegetables that does not pass the initial stage of vetting has been repackaged into slices, with a decrease in their selling prices. This is a win win situation for both the company and consumers in the increase in profits and increase in choices.