KUCHING: In a significant effort to combat food waste, the MYSaveFood Project collected and distributed approximately 200 kilogrammes of food and beverages contributed by traders at the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Ramadan Bazaar at Stutong Market on March 4.
This marks one of the highest amounts recorded since the initiative began at the bazaar five days ago.
MYSaveFood Ramadan Bazaar Stutong volunteer Ivan Nicholas Ajit highlighted the overwhelming support from traders, noting their strong cooperation.
“We will be stationed here (Stutong Bazaar) for a week before moving to other bazaars in Samarahan and Kuching. Last Tuesday alone, we managed to collect around 200kg of unsold food and drinks,” he said at the MYSaveFood booth.
He added that nearly every day, the initiative provides food for 50 to 60 people in need.
“We usually receive surplus food by 7 pm at the latest. After repackaging, we distribute it within a six- to seven-kilometre radius,” he explained.
The initiative also ensures that unsold food is not resold the following day while reinforcing traders’ commitment to minimising waste.
Spearheaded by Pertubuhan Pemuda Gema Malaysia and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), with support from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), the MYSaveFood programme aims to establish an efficient food surplus management system at Ramadan bazaars.
The collected food is distributed to vulnerable groups, including children’s homes and higher education institutions, helping bridge the gap between surplus and need.
