Bangkok Food Bank puts surplus, waste food to use

City Hall has piloted a Bangkok Food Bank project to distribute surplus food to vulnerable groups including the impoverished.

The project, enabled by the joint efforts of various stakeholders, is getting a trial run in Bang Khunthian district.

City Hall said it is working to create food security by gathering food waste and surplus food from shops and eateries including food courts around the city, and distributing it to those who are most in need, especially people facing emergency situations.

Pornprom Vikitsreth, an adviser to Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt, yesterday met participants in the BKK Food Bank including social development and environmental agencies, Bang Khunthian district chief Pongjakkarin Thawornpong and Tanaporn Oi-Isranukul, the operations manager for the Scholars of Sustenance Foundation Thailand.

City Hall said district offices will initially act as middlemen under the project, collecting the surplus and waste food and delivering it to communities in need.

Later, civic groups and private organisations will assume responsibility for distribution under the project.

The project will help cut back on food wastage and put it to good use.

Food waste, if discarded, can damage the environment and create more economic problems, observers say.

The waste and surplus food will be sourced from hotels, department stores, supermarkets, wet markets, community malls, food courts and other providers, participants say.

City Hall said it will design distribution channels and work with stakeholders to ensure the supplies of food get to those who need it the most.

Suggestions for and public feedback from the project will be compiled.

If the pilot project in Bang Khunthian proves to be a success, it will be emulated in other districts across the capital, officials said.