How FFTH Rescues Commercial Food Surplus

About 780,000 tonnes of food are wasted in Singapore each year, while over 10% of households experience food insecurity annually. It’s a stark reminder of how much good food goes unused, often due to cosmetic issues like damaged packaging, even though there are families that need food support. 

That’s where Food from the Heart (FFTH) comes into action! While many know us for our Bread Run programme, our work goes further. We rescue surplus food from the commercial supply chain and redirect it to communities in need, turning waste into meaningful support.

The Logistics of Rescue: Expanding Beyond the Bakery

Working with retail partners, volunteers, and distribution teams, FFTH coordinates surplus food collection across Singapore – beyond just bakeries. We recover surplus from across the retail supply chain and redirect it before it goes to waste.

Our Market Place programme: Retail Food Rescue Initiative

The Market Place programme shows how surplus food can be rescued and redistributed. Since 2015, FFTH has worked closely with FairPrice to redirect surplus supermarket items. In 2025, the programme has given out nearly $195,000 worth of food items!

These are items that can’t stay on store shelves but are still safe to eat – such as dented cans of food, food items with torn labels, or products nearing expiry. Fret not, each item is carefully checked to ensure it meets food safety standards distribution.

Our Bread Run programme: Saving Unwanted Staple Foods

Our Bread Run programme tackles one of Singapore’s most commonly wasted foods – bread. Every day, volunteers collect surplus bread provided by 125 hotels and bakeries before they are thrown away. The bread is delivered to welfare homes and Community Food Pack self-collection centres, giving it a second life. In 2025 alone, over 199,000kg of bread was rescued through this effort!

Overcoming Barriers to Commercial Food Donation

Even with food rescue programmes in place, a lot of surplus food still goes to waste. For many businesses, the biggest concern isn’t logistics, it’s liability and food safety. The fear of being held responsible if donated food causes illnesses has long made companies hesitant to donate.

The Good Samaritan Food Donation Act

In 2024, Singapore introduced the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, offering legal protection to businesses that donate food in good faith. This removes a major barrier and encourages more companies to redirect safe, surplus food instead of throwing it away.

The impact goes beyond businesses. Food waste still makes up a significant portion of Singapore’s waste, so redistributing safe and surplus food is a practical way to reduce food waste while supporting communities in need.

With clearer safeguards in place, more businesses can now partner with charities like FFTH, helping their surplus food reach people who need it rather than ending up in the

Community Resilience

Commercial food surplus does not have to end up in a bin. With the right partnerships, it can support families, welfare homes, and communities across Singapore. Through FFTH's rescue programmes, surplus food is given a second life. Join us in building a future where food is valued, redirected, and allowed to serve its purpose of nourishing lives!

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