Daniel Yap One man's mission to feed families and reduce food waste
The Straits Times|November 01, 2024
The Straits Times unveils the first three finalists for the Singaporean of the Year 2024 - advocate for food rescue Daniel Yap, caregiver support group founder Lim Hong Huay, and community big sister Marlina Yased.
Gabrielle Chan
Daniel Yap One man's mission to feed families and reduce food waste

Once a karung guni (rag and bone) man salvaging cardboard and old televisions to eke a living, Mr Daniel Yap now leads a group that rescues "ugly" food which feeds thousands of families yearly.

Come rain or shine, the 47-year-old and his team of volunteers from the Fridge Restock Community (FRC) will turn up at Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre about twice a week to collect unsold fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste.

From 9am to noon, the team weaves through the bustling aisles of the wholesale centre, navigating rows of crates and cartons as they greet familiar faces.

Vendors wave them over, pointing to bins of fresh produce that would otherwise be discarded. Some sellers, well acquainted with the mission, even bring over boxes of their fruit and vegetables.

Mr Yap knows the vendors by name - a trust that has been built over years since he started rescuing food in 2018.

Today, his group rescues 8,000kg to 9,000kg of food per week. The food goes to 16 community fridges and 26 distribution points set up by community centres and residents' networks around the island.

Mr Yap is a finalist for the Singaporean of the Year award, organised by The Straits Times. The award is given to a Singaporean or group of citizens who have made a significant contribution to society.

This can be through achievements that put Singapore on the world stage, or by going beyond the call of duty to selflessly improve the lives of others in the community, among other ways.

The award, now in its 10th year, is presented by UBS Singapore.

Mr Yap, who owns a provision shop in Little India, founded the FRC in 2020 after realising there was food surplus that could be given to those in need.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 01, 2024 من The Straits Times.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 01, 2024 من The Straits Times.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE STRAITS TIMES مشاهدة الكل
HUT TO ART IN ZIMBABWE
The Straits Times

HUT TO ART IN ZIMBABWE

The golden rays of the afternoon sun enhance the bold, hand-painted patterns on the mud walls of a round, thatched hut in Ms Peggy Masuku's village of Matobo in south-western Zimbabwe.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 30, 2024
Actress Son Ye-jin celebrates son's second birthday
The Straits Times

Actress Son Ye-jin celebrates son's second birthday

South Korean actress Son Ye-jin may be busy filming her latest movie, but she took time out to celebrate her son's second birthday.

time-read
1 min  |
November 30, 2024
Menswear Dog' and social media star Bodhi dies at 15
The Straits Times

Menswear Dog' and social media star Bodhi dies at 15

NEW YORK - Bodhi, a Shiba Inu whose smartly tailored sport coats and luxurious knitwear helped make him the rare canine menswear influencer, has died. He was 15.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 30, 2024
Love Actually director Richard Curtis makes first foray into animation
The Straits Times

Love Actually director Richard Curtis makes first foray into animation

Two decades after scoring a surprise holiday season global hit with Love Actually (2003), British film-maker Richard Curtis is making a bid to repeat the trick with his first foray into animation.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 30, 2024
K-pop group NewJeans leave label Ador over 'mistreatment'
The Straits Times

K-pop group NewJeans leave label Ador over 'mistreatment'

SEOUL - Chart-topping K-pop group NewJeans announced on Nov 28 their decision to leave their label Ador, accusing the company of \"mistreatment\".

time-read
2 mins  |
November 30, 2024
Design News King Living premieres plush home theatre sofas
The Straits Times

Design News King Living premieres plush home theatre sofas

Australian luxury furniture brand King Living has launched its King Cinema Premiere Recliner collection, designed to transform living rooms into an immersive home cinema.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 30, 2024
Anniversary concert a celebration of budding young talent
The Straits Times

Anniversary concert a celebration of budding young talent

A CELLO LIFE VOICE OF THE CELLO 10TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

time-read
2 mins  |
November 30, 2024
Mayday promise to 'make it up' to fans
The Straits Times

Mayday promise to 'make it up' to fans

Lead singer Ashin says the Taiwanese rock band are committed to give back \"what was owed\" at their upcoming concerts here

time-read
2 mins  |
November 30, 2024
Kia Carnival returns with new look, powertrain
The Straits Times

Kia Carnival returns with new look, powertrain

The multi-seater is perkier than its predecessor despite having a smaller, more efficient engine

time-read
3 mins  |
November 30, 2024
Porsche Macan 4 is punchy, comfy and city-friendly
The Straits Times

Porsche Macan 4 is punchy, comfy and city-friendly

The compact electric sport utility vehicle is also spacious and exceptionally stable at high speeds

time-read
3 mins  |
November 30, 2024