Core Viewpoint - The "food bank" initiative in Shenzhen has gained significant attention for its innovative approach to addressing the issue of near-expiry and surplus food, reducing waste and benefiting the community [1][2]. Group 1: Food Bank Initiative - The "food bank" has provided approximately 500,000 portions of near-expiry or surplus food, benefiting around 500,000 individuals over three years [1]. - The initiative has established stable partnerships with nearly 100 companies, including Hema Fresh and CR Vanguard, saving about 202 tons of food and reducing carbon emissions by approximately 404 tons [2]. - The core concept of the "food bank" is to repurpose food that is difficult to sell but too valuable to discard, creating a bridge between resource recycling and community support [2]. Group 2: Food Waste Issue - China loses approximately 9.2 billion jin of food annually due to waste across the entire supply chain, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to food conservation [2]. - The practice of food conservation is not new; it is rooted in traditional values and has been adopted in various forms globally, such as Singapore's "empty plate zero waste" initiative and Germany's app for preserving food [3]. - The promotion of food conservation should be integrated into community agreements and industry standards, encouraging individual responsibility and collective action [3].
你知道什么是“食物银行”吗?
Ren Min Ri Bao·2026-01-24 10:06