KUALA LUMPUR, 4 April 2022 – Malaysia’s leading food bank, The Lost Food Project (TLFP) has channelled over 1.2 million kg of surplus food which is equivalent to over 4.1 million meals* to vulnerable people with the help of major wholesalers, distributors and supermarkets in the past year. The amount of food rescued is more than triple the amount redistributed to those in need in 2020 which stood at 1.3 million meals. The immense support from manufacturers, restaurants, supermarkets, corporate sponsors and the general public helped TLFP meet the soaring demand for food aid over the past year. TLFP has increased its list of beneficiaries to receive food and are currently providing meals to over 80 NGOs – which serve orphans, the elderly, the homeless, people with disabilities, refugees and other underserved communities – and more than 15 B40 communities in the Klang Valley and Johor Bahru. As of 3 April 2022, TLFP redistributed 10.1 million meals to those in need and prevented over 7.8 million kg of greenhouse gas emissions since its inception in 2016.
TLFP received a donation of mattresses from Wangsa Walk management that were redistributed to families in Sungai Pelek, Sepang who were affected by the floods in December.
In their commitment to make healthy food more accessible to struggling households and help them achieve long-term food security, 64% of TLFP’s food distribution consists of nutritious fruits and vegetables, aligned with advice from the World Health Organization (WHO) which recommends eating a minimum of 400g of fruit and vegetables a day to lower the risk of serious health problems. In 2021, TLFP rescued and redistributed 787,693 kg of surplus fruits and vegetables, 74,406 kg of surplus bread, buns, cakes and cookies, as well as 15,175 kg of poultry and seafood to food insecure communities.
The fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic – including record unemployment rates, economic hardship, school closures, physical and social isolation, and downturns in emotional health and well-being – meant the need for food support has never been greater, but with heightened and continued support from volunteers, donors and partners, TLFP was able to step up to the challenge and delivered 16,022 emergency aid to families who reached out for assistance during the #BenderaPutih (also known as White Flag) movement in Penang, Perak, Melaka, Kelantan, Perlis, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu and Sabah last year. TLFP also teamed up with businesses and individuals to distribute 16,982 cooked meals to families in distress throughout the year.
TLFP regularly collects & distributes surplus fruits & vegetables from Pasar Borong KL, the nation’s largest wholesale supplier, preventing fresh produce from being thrown into a landfill to rot and producing potent greenhouse gas (GHG emissions.
In the wake of the unprecedented floods in December 2021, TLFP worked with local and national disaster relief partners – including Gurdwara Sahib PJ, Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS), The Assembly Soup Kitchen (TASK) and many more – to distribute 4,930 food and essential aid, 500 hygiene kits, 345 units of 3-in-1 cookers, 30 mattresses and redirected its surplus food to impacted communities in Sungai Pelek, Sepang; Sentosa; Kg Jawa Pendamar; Kg Delek Baru; Taman Sri Muda; Kg Bukit Lanchong; Kemuning Utama; Taman Rashna; Taman Sungai Rasau; Hulu Langat; Jalan Raja Laut; Lorong Tiong Nam; and Hulu Kelang in the Klang Valley as well as Johor and Melaka.
TLFP volunteers rescue enough baked goods on a daily basis to feed over 50 charity homes and hundreds of B40 families, thanks to our partners at Komugi, Lavender, Breadstory and many more.
General Manager of TLFP, Mohd Syazwan said: “2021 opened our eyes in more ways than one. The various crises, disasters and emergencies that happened all year round were matched equally by the kindness, commitment and dedication of people working to help one another. Staff and volunteers who stood by our cause, working around-the-clock to ensure food and other essentials get to those in need gives us faith in humanity. It was thanks to the incredible support from our donors, food partners, sponsors and members of the general public who made our work possible. 2021 was a year that surpassed every expectation, and one that inspires us to continue to get more good food onto the plates of even more vulnerable families as we strive to move toward a hunger and food waste-free Malaysia. We hope to provide more support during Ramadan month, which is only possible thanks to the generosity of our donors.” TLFP currently rescues and redistributes surplus food from over 50 donors and partners with the help of over 1,300 public and corporate volunteers across the country. Its long-term goal is to operate in more regional hubs across the country, identify all neglected communities in need of food security and increase funding to meet the costs of this growing organisation.
For more information on The Lost Food Project, please visit http://www.thelostfoodproject.org/
*based on Foodbank Malaysia Programme by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) guidelines, a meal is equal to 0.35kg (350g) of food and grocery product*
The Lost Food Project
Lot PT54 Lengkok Belfield,
Off Jalan Wisma Putra,
50460 Kuala Lumpur
Email: info@thelostfoodproject.org
Phone: +60 123293256
Website: Home – Lost Food Project (thelostfoodproject.org)
