During Ramadan, Muslims across the country enjoy their favorite foods, whether in bustling markets or fancy restaurants.
However, it is not surprising that food waste is often the product. According to the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleaning Corporation, more than 22,732.61 tons of food waste was thrown away in Kuala Lumpur during Ramadan in 2023, and the number is expected to increase every year.
So, groups like Gema Malaysia Youth Organization (Gema) and Kechara Soup Kitchen have come together not only to address the issue of food waste during Ramadan, but also to reach out to the underprivileged. Vikneshvaran Tanabalam, head of Gema’s MySaveFood initiative in Kuala Lumpur, said it involved 55 Ramadan bazaars nationwide. Vikneshvaran Thanabalam.
A total of 25 Tasik Sri Rampai Ramadan Bazaar volunteers, most of whom are Malaysians, break fast at around 7:30pm before setting to work, collecting the excess food. from traders as they close their shops. “After collection, we take the food back to the collection point at Abu Ubaidah Al Jarrah Mosque, where we will measure, process and label the food,” Vikneshvaran told FMT.
This food is also kept in the mosque’s garage, which is ready to take out to those who do not have it. Vikneshvaran said he is concerned about the increase in food waste. He said that 300kg to 450kg per day is being increased on average in markets like the one in Kampung Baru, which he attributed to the increase in vendors. Ahmad Adam Ismail Abd Hafi.
Meanwhile, Tasik Sri Rampai Ramadan Bazaar volunteer leader Ahmad Adam Ismail Abd Hafi suggested that vendors should calculate more carefully when preparing food to reduce the amount of food. “If they end up with what’s left on the first day of the sale, maybe they can change the amount they sell in the following days,” he said.
Fadillah Husnidar Pohan. Fadillah Husnidar Pohan, 36, a beneficiary of the scheme, expressed her appreciation for the variety and quality of food offered.
“I really enjoy the food here because there is a lot of food, drinks and kuih. It also reduces our financial burden to a great extent,” he said.
Sharil Maon, who regularly visits the mosque, believes that this scheme is important for those who are facing financial problems. “Many of us feel that the economic situation is bad and that food prices have increased. With this plan, those who do not have the means to eat they will not be able to get,” he said. After cooking the soup
On the restaurant side, Kechara Soup Kitchen put together several meals during the first two weeks of this year’s Ramadan season.
Kechara Soup Kitchen project manager Justin Cheah said volunteers collect excess food from 24 hotels across KL every day during Ramadan, which is delivered to distribution centers. These distribution points range from homeless shelters to orphanages, where Kechara charities distribute food to those who care for them.
Cheah said Malaysians can help by connecting Kechara with food producers who can have enough stocks to donate. “You cannot help only during the month of Ramadan. Any help is accepted at any time of the year, whether it is through donations or voluntary work,” he said.
