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.

Esta historia es de la edición November 01, 2024 de The Straits Times.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición November 01, 2024 de The Straits Times.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE STRAITS TIMESVer todo
Meet Blackpink's Lisa at Marquee party on Nov 9
The Straits Times

Meet Blackpink's Lisa at Marquee party on Nov 9

Get ready to meet Thai singer Lisa of K-pop girl group Blackpink ahead of her first solo fan meeting in Singapore at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Nov 11.

time-read
1 min  |
November 01, 2024
Actors Channing Tatum, Zoe Kravitz split up after three years
The Straits Times

Actors Channing Tatum, Zoe Kravitz split up after three years

American actor Channing Tatum and American actress Zoe Kravitz have gone their separate ways, according to various reports by the US media.

time-read
1 min  |
November 01, 2024
Teri Garr brightened up comedies Tootsie, Young Frankenstein
The Straits Times

Teri Garr brightened up comedies Tootsie, Young Frankenstein

LOS ANGELES - Academy Award-nominated American actress Teri Garr (right), whose sunny personality lit up the screen in films such as Young Frankenstein (1974) and Tootsie (1982), died on Oct 29 at age 79.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 01, 2024
Hello Kitty still raking in millions at age 50
The Straits Times

Hello Kitty still raking in millions at age 50

TOKYO - Hello Kitty, the cute, enigmatic character that adorns everything from handbags to rice cookers, turns 50 on Nov 1 - and is still making millions for her Japanese creators.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 01, 2024
Actress Diana Danielle divorces actor Farid Kamil again
The Straits Times

Actress Diana Danielle divorces actor Farid Kamil again

KUALA LUMPUR – A year after reconciling with her husband, Malaysian actor Farid Kamil, Malaysian singer-actress Diana Danielle is filing for divorce again.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 01, 2024
Printed jeans take fashion world by storm
The Straits Times

Printed jeans take fashion world by storm

UNITED STATES - Swedish fashion house Acne Studios makes US$800 (S$1,060) jeans that look like something a roofer would wear to a rave.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 01, 2024
Taking a shine to lab-grown diamonds
The Straits Times

Taking a shine to lab-grown diamonds

Demand for more affordable synthetic alternatives is on the rise as mined diamonds lose their lustre

time-read
8 minutos  |
November 01, 2024
Artist and model Ella Emhoff under the political spotlight
The Straits Times

Artist and model Ella Emhoff under the political spotlight

The stepchild of United States, Vice-President Kamala Harris has been getting more scrutiny after 2021's Inauguration Day

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 01, 2024
Van Nistelrooy vows to help United in any role
The Straits Times

Van Nistelrooy vows to help United in any role

LONDON - Manchester United caretaker manager Ruud van Nistelrooy said he will help the club \"in any capacity\" as reports suggest that Ruben Amorim is getting closer to being named as Erik ten Hag's successor.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 01, 2024
DOUGLASS' HALLOWEEN TREAT
The Straits Times

DOUGLASS' HALLOWEEN TREAT

She breaks pact over 'trick' headbands, then breaks 200m breast world mark

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 01, 2024