Daniel Yap One man's mission to feed families and reduce food waste

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

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.