CAUSE

Food to the Rescue

Being Neighbourly x Astor Wong, Food Angel

Chandni Sahay/ Being Neighbourly
4 April 2025

Founded in 2011 with the heartfelt mission of “Waste Not, Hunger Not, With Love,” Food Angel strives to create a more sustainable and compassionate society. Rescuing edible surplus food from different sectors of the food industry that would otherwise be disposed of as waste, the charity redistributes them to serve underprivileged communities of Hong Kong.

Speaking about the critical issues of hunger and food waste in Hong Kong, Astor Wong, Head of Partnership and Resources Development at Food Angel, shares that over 3,300 tons of food waste are sent to landfills daily, while many families experience food insecurity. According to her, one in three elderly individuals is living below the poverty line, struggling to access basic nutrition.

Currently, Food Angel rescues 45 tons of edible surplus food weekly, creating more than 20,000 nutritious meals, and distributes over 11,000 other meals and food packs daily to those in need, responding to the urgent need for food distribution.

“We partner with catering suppliers like hotels and lunchbox providers in Hong Kong to rescue cooked food and actively salvages surplus edible food from various sectors, including restaurants, supermarkets and manufacturers,” says Wong. With over 120 collection points for public donations of canned goods and rice packs, the charitable organization also depends on funding to buy essential ingredients.

To ensure food safety, their dedicated team carefully inspects every donation, while their logistics team collects surplus food directly from generous donors. Following strict safety standards, they transform rescued food into nutritious meals in their central kitchen and distribute them to underprivileged communities of Hong Kong.

“Food Angel considers food safety and product quality as the highest priority.” shares Wong, adding, that they strictly abide by the guidelines and regulations of ISO22000 Food Safety Management System. “From food collection, storage, to meal production, environment and staff management, all food handlers follow the food safety policies and perform their responsibilities accordingly to ensure food items are safe to consume,” she shares.

To ensure assistance reaches those in need, Wong says that they have a robust system to identify their target group. A dedicated team, including professional social workers assess users based on their financial and living conditions. Building on these assessments, the charity provides a tailored support to match their need with the most suitable service provided by Food Angel.

She explains that around 40% of users receive direct aid, while the remaining 60% are supported through trusted NGO partners who share their mission to, “reduce food waste, alleviate hunger and spread love”. These partnerships, built on shared values, amplify impact within the community.

According to Wong, to maintain the quality and safety of the food they distribute, they conduct regular visits to their partners. “By combining direct service with strong partnerships, we extend our reach and provide food assistance to more individuals and families throughout the community. This holistic approach guarantees that those in need receive consistent and safe food support.”

By bringing together resources, expertise, and like-minded partners, Food Angel has developed five strategic programs to combat food waste and hunger effectively.

Firstly, through Corporate Engagement, the charity offers CSR programs for corporate partners, including team-building volunteer activities like ‘A Day with Food Angel,’ raising awareness of food waste and poverty in Hong Kong among participants. For companies unable to participate in out-of-office activities, ‘Share a Meal’ program includes a ‘Lunch and learn’ session. Food Angel also encourages internal food drives to collect dry food, which are redistributed to those in need.

Secondly, Green Angel – Education, is a flexible education program to inspire schools and children to learn about food wastage, hunger and poverty, while fostering care for the needy. Sessions are available as school talks or Zoom sessions based on a school’s request.

Thirdly, through the community outreach food assistance service, Outreach Angels deliver meal boxes, food packs and care to 200 vulnerable seniors suffering from chronic illness, impaired mobility or isolation. “Homebound elderly look forward to these visits, which help rebuild their connection with the community”, says Wong.

Fourthly, the Community Angels serve over 250 elderly daily, offering meals, friendship and care at the Food Angel Community Conter at Sham Shui Po. By fostering personal connections and listening to their stories, Wong says that the centre aims to bring happiness, vitality and confidence to the lives of the elderly. She adds that volunteers help serve hot meals, host birthday parties and festive events and organise interest classes.

Lastly, as Hong Kong’s first experience centre that promotes the values of cherishing food and community care, ‘Footstep Journey’ educates participants on ‘Food Smart’ practices, food wastages and elderly poverty. Visitors become rice warriors, tackling individual food waste through interactive games, virtual reality films, and engaging activities. “This hands-on experience encourages reflection on their responsibilities, embodying the motto ‘No Pain, No Gain’, explains Wong.

What is the best thing about the work that you do?

“What inspires me most is seeing the real-life impact of these efforts,” says Astor Wong, Head of Partnership and Resources Development at Food Angel.

“That is, meals being delivered to vulnerable communities, food waste being reduced, and lives being touched by the love and care baked into every initiative.”

Food Angel
2/F Fung Shing Building, 235 Hai Tan Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon.