Lembah Pantai, 28 July 2022 – Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) is providing RM660,000 to The Lost Food Project (TLFP) across 3 years until September 2024 for the Surplus Food Rescue Programme. This sponsorship was launched on 28 July 2022 by YSD CEO Dr Yatela Zainal Abidin, and President & Board Member of TLFP Ms. Zawiyah Saimon, together with a handover of a truck for TLFP’s use for this programme.

This programme is supported by Sime Darby Property Berhad for the 3-year duration of the sponsorship period including through the involvement of its volunteers. This project will rescue surplus nutritious food that would otherwise have prematurely ended up in landfills and distribute them to benefit various communities in need. YSD is also providing a truck for TLFP to address the expansion of food collection from only dry foods, such as hygiene items and packed drinks, to include fresh foods, such as vegetables and fruits.

During the launch, more than 4 metric tonnes of food was collected and distributed to 500 families in PPR Kerinchi, with the support of Sime Darby Property Berhad’s volunteers who assisted in the logistics of executing this distribution.

Since the establishment of this sponsorship more than 560 metric tonne of surplus fresh food has been collected under this programme which is equivalent to more than 1.6 million nutritious meal servings for more than 18,000 B40 families and residents from about 83 charitable organisations.

“Our support for this programme is important in order to address food insecurity faced by B40 families and marginalised groups while reducing unnecessary food wastage in the food supply chain, which is even more important today given the rising cost of living. This project also has an additional benefit of the effort towards reducing the emission of greenhouse gasses as less food will be sent to landfills, which is part of YSD’s aim of contributing to climate change action.” said Dr Yatela at the launch.

Founder of The Lost Food Project, Suzanne Mooney said “The dedication and unwavering commitment of the TLFP committee members and staff mean that millions of extra meals of nutritious food have been given to the most needy. YSD’s support and funding of the costs of running the Pasar Borong operations shows that they really do value sustainable actions and intend to reduce the carbon dioxide footprint caused by throwing away good food.”

The programme has received strong support and guidance from key stakeholders including Pasar Borong Kuala Lumpur (PBKL), Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), Lembaga Pemasaran Pertanian Persekutuan (FAMA), and Perbadanan Pengurusan Sisa Pepejal dan Pembersihan Awam (SWCorp Malaysia) who have been instrumental in ensuring that this project runs smoothly.

YSD’s sponsorship of this programme falls under the Community & Health and Environment pillars where it aims to address the wellbeing and health of the marginalised, including the underprivileged, and to encourage and empower communities to live sustainably respectively. The funding will cover TLFP’s operational expenses including the coordinators at PBKL whose dedication and commitment in rescuing the food through obstacles and harsh conditions have made them crucial members of this complicated supply chain. Additionally, it will also cover the transportation and logistics costs associated with this programme.

TLFP intends to increase the annual collection of surplus fresh food such as fruits and vegetables from food donors including major supermarkets, manufacturers, wholesale markets, producers and distributors from 520 to 735 metric tonnes. The programme will also assist nearly 24,000 B40 families across 15 PPR low-cost flats in Klang Valley and residents of 83 charitable organisations with the increased provision of more than 2 million nutritious meals annually.

This initiative is in line with Sime Darby Berhad, Sime Darby Plantation Berhad and Sime Darby Property Berhad’s long term goals of climate change action.