Food Rescue Sengkang saves 50 tonnes of 'ugly' food from going to waste each week

When it was established in 2019, Food Rescue Sengkang had 10 volunteers and the group saved up to 200kg of food from going to waste.

Today, the organisation has 80 volunteers, and thanks to them, about 50,000kg of food is rescued each week. The amount of food can be shared with up to 25,000 people.

"We rescue fresh fruits and vegetables, dried and frozen foods, bread and other food items," Food Rescue Sengkang co-founder Derek Ong, 59, told Berita Harian.

"Whatever can still be eaten, we save them and give them away to reduce waste.

"We also spead the message that 'ugly' food are still safe for consumption."

The team rescues excess stock, unsold items and food items that are "ugly" but still good.

The volunteers help to collect the food items from places such as the Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre and repack them for distribution.

They do this Mondays to Saturdays, according to Mr Ong, who is an accountant.

On Saturdays, Food Rescue Sengkang holds its "ugly" fruit and vegetable market at its headquarters from 5pm to 7pm at Thanggam Hub, 40 Fernvale Road.

The rescued food is also shared with welfare homes and religious organisations.

Although it has received numerous requests for its market to be expanded, Food Rescue Sengkang is unable to do so without more volunteers.

Mr Ong said that on top of the lack of volunteers, the other challenges faced by the group include lack in funding, coordinators and partners.

To help Food Rescue Sengkang in their mission to "feed the people, not the bins", go to its website.