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SINGAPORE – Setting up community kitchens that use rescued food to make nutritious meals, rolling out support for food rescue initiatives, and formalising the re-distribution of surplus hawker food were among suggestions to tackle food waste raised by MPs on Sept 9.
They were speaking during a 4½-hour-long debate on a private member’s motion about food resilience tabled by four PAP MPs from the Government Parliamentary Committee for Sustainability and the Environment.
The motion had urged the Government to enhance food resilience and reduce food waste, so as to ensure that Singaporeans will have access to affordable food despite geopolitical uncertainties and climate risks.
During the debate, 12 MPs highlighted their proposals to enhance food resilience in Singapore. Their suggestions ranged from ways to strengthen support for local farms, to initiatives to reduce food waste and efforts that help Singaporeans access affordable food options.
Poh Li San (Sembawang West), who chairs the committee, suggested that rescued fresh food supplies, such as vegetables, eggs and rice, can be used to prepare nutritious and low-cost or even free meals for Singapore’s communities.
She said: “If food charity organisations, catering companies, community partners and community volunteers work together, we can prepare and deliver fresh and hot meals for seniors living alone and low-income families living within our community.”
She added that while it is not possible to control food prices in a free market, such an initiative could help to “substantially lower” food expenses for vulnerable groups, ensuring they will always have access to affordable food.
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