Interview discussing Covid19 price hikes. I share my views on the vulnerability of our urban food system, the opportunity to address food security during times of COVID, drawing on examples of neighboring cities.
The story of breadline is about food rescue and what happens to food when it can no longer be sold at a bakery, a market, or even a city level. So where do the food go when the shops close?
Food waste is a global issue, but for Asian cities like Singapore and Hong Kong, the majority of the waste comes from the retail and consumption end of the food cycle.
COVID19 is deepening the hunger crisis. According to Oxfam’s latest report, 12,000 people per day will die from hunger caused by the pandemic pandemic – potentially more than the COVID death toll. Daisy Tam discusses hunger crisis with Karen Koh on RTHK Radio – 123 show.
Pushing my trolley around the supermarkets’ empty shelves a few months ago – I couldn’t help but replay the scene from World War Z where Brad Pitt stocks up for doomsday. The pandemic has revealed our food system’s vulnerabilities
The food shortage we experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the vulnerabilities of our food system. In Hong Kong, we are overly dependent on imports and have little buffer in our supply chain.
So proud to see Breadline featured alongside other innovative projects selected to represent the New Asia in Tatler’s launch issue. In every field and discipline, there are those who break the mould and I am pleased to be considered part of that wave.
Having been asked to reflect on my journey so far, I tried to distil the guiding principle of my research on food systems. I was reminded of a conversation I had with a Michelin star chef, I said “go for the good, not the best” to which he asked “but why?”.
The future of food is tied to the future of our cities. In this interview on RTHK, I framed the urban food system in the context of sustainability.
An opportunity to discuss the step-by-step logistical issues of food rescue and my web application Breadline on RTHK Radio 1 programme Climate Watcher 大氣候.
Breadline has been chosen by Tatler as one of the five innovative ideas on sustainability in Hong Kong, and thanks to the feature, I became an Eco Hero.
In this interview with Noreen Mir, we chatted about my latest work Breadline – what it is, how it works and how this whole interdisciplinary project came to be.
Breadline makes its debut! This is the first crowdsourcing food rescue web application in Hong Kong that connects donors with volunteers and charities so surplus food can be delivered to those who need it.
In my talks, I have often spoken of the benefits of food donation or food rescue. In this video, I followed one of Hong Kong’s leading food rescue organization – FoodLink to share a meal at one of their beneficiaries – Faith and Grace Church in Kwun Tong.
A wonderful occasion to discuss LIVE on air on the effects of food waste in the city. My position has always been that its food, not waste, so how do we create a more effective and equitable urban food system? Looking at food rescue NGOs and the challenges they face, I share a few thoughts on how we could better use our resources.
A morning ramble on RTHK’s BackChat programme to share my thoughts on food waste recycling. I’m calling on industries to take the lead and change the culture of throwing out surpluses.
An opportunity to discuss the state of Hong Kong’s urban food system. How do we begin to build a stronger, more food secure city? From production, to distribution and consumption, I offer my thoughts on the subject.
Featured as one of six women leaders of Hong Kong’s “zero-waste” movement. I spoke to Lauren James about my research journey – from the humble beginnings of working in Borough Market to my current projects at Hong Kong Baptist University and beyond.
I gave an interview in English for the Solvak journal Kapital which published an issue on waste earlier this year (2018). Lukaś Likavčan posed questions on the contemporary socio-economical patterns of production and consumption in the context of Hong Kong. I wish I could read the piece! (in Slovac only)
Catfish instead of Grouper, Wagyu instead of Kobe …what next? Talking about fake food on RTHK Backchat. I think traceability, local producers = shorter supply chain might be the first steps.
The festive season is a time of celebration, and unfortunately also a time of excess. As Christmas draws near, Laurie Chan from the South China Morning Post invited me to share my thoughts on sustainable consumption.
A one-day event that brought together practitioners and entrepreneurs who are keen to change the way we eat. My panel “The Big Picture” kickstarted the day by looking at the bigger picture of global food trends, the challenges we face and alternatives that might change our food future.
Ahead of the Food Future Summit, I was asked about my hopes and fears for the future. Issues of overpopulation, intensive agriculture, over consumption were my list of usual suspects. What threw me was the final question of what is my favourite food, as an advocate of sustainable food systems, I had to choose my answer very carefully. Find out the answer in this interview and be apocalyptic ready!
Featured in Green Queen as one of the Zero Heroes, I talked to Jenny Star Lor about the beginnings of my research and how the push for change has to go beyond our own plate.
After my TedX talk on Hong Kong’s Food Security, many were shocked to learn how vulnerable Hong Kong’s food system is. Quartz Journalist Echo Huang followed up with an interview to get the low down on how cities like Hong Kong, actually feeds itself.
An opportunity to speak to an audience of 1200 at the Academy of Performing Arts – the largest Tedx event here in Hong Kong! In spite of its status as Asia’s gourmet city, Hong Kong is in fact NOT food secure. “How secure is food? The case of Hong Kong” gives a quick overview of our urban food system and urges the government, businesses and individuals to put food on the agenda in order to start the change we need today.
According to a recent survey, a third of Hong Kong’s population eat out every day. In this episode of RTHK’s Backchat, I was invited to discuss the effects of this. Many people eat out because restaurants are relatively affordable in Hong Kong and most people find it convenient. However shopping, preparing and cooking can offer more than just a healthier meal, it’s a way of reconnecting and learning about food.
In this opinion piece (Initium), I was invited to write about my research on Hong Kong’s food system. Framing the issue of hunger and food waste in the wider context of food security, I argued that food waste is everyone’s problem. Building a secure food system is not just about poverty alleviation or environmental protection, but the fundamental foundation of sustainable urban development. (in Chinese only)
An interview by the Dutch newspaper Trouw on the Hong Kong’s eating habits and sustainability. Cultural behaviours and trends affect the way we consume, but education can raise awareness and create change in the long term. Featuring the vertical garden which I started with my students, I explained how learning about food could be the seed of change. (in Dutch only)
As part of the Knowledge Transfer Project “Greener Living – micro urban farming and turning waste into resource”, I started a vertical garden to grow an edible wall with my students where we planted organic vegetables using wasted resources.
I was invited to chair the session called Food for Thought at Asia Society’s event “In a grain of Rice: Food & Culture for South and Southeast Asia”. I shared examples drawn from my research and own experiences to discuss the cultural significance of rice and reflected on how food bring communities together through participatory practices.
“Lost Food: Food, Knowledge, Culture” was one of the earliest event I organised at Hong Kong Baptist University. I invited a panel of speakers to talk about our forgotten food culture and lost knowledge – from the way food is produced, to the way its prepared and consumed, how little we know shows how alienated we are from our everyday necessity.
