Food-sharing initiative 'Đà Nẵng Food Community' officially inaugurated

In the heart of Vietnam, a new initiative has been established to address the pressing issues of hunger and food waste. The Food Bank Đà Nẵng and the "Đà Nẵng Food Community" program have been launched, aiming to create a more sustainable and compassionate food ecosystem in the city.

The program collects surplus food from restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, and other sources, then redistributes it free of charge to orphanages, open houses, charity kitchens, and communities in need. By doing so, it seeks to mitigate hunger and promote sustainable consumption in Đà Nẵng.

The Food Bank Network, the organisation behind this initiative, has been operational since 2016. Its mission is to "Leave no one behind" by gathering, storing, and distributing good-quality surplus food to those in need. The network, which has a volunteer base of over 2,500 individuals, has already supported over 11 million people nationwide, distributing over 53 million kilograms of food and more than 21 million meals, and assisting 848 social organizations.

To ensure timely and efficient food distribution, especially during emergencies such as natural disasters and disease outbreaks, the program establishes a multi-stakeholder coordination mechanism. This mechanism connects donors, businesses, and vulnerable people, reflecting community solidarity and compassion.

The impact of the initiative is multifaceted. It helps reduce hunger by distributing good-quality surplus food to people facing difficulties. It combats food waste, thereby promoting environmental sustainability. It raises public awareness about sustainable consumption and healthy diets. Furthermore, it facilitates a humanitarian and sustainable food ecosystem in Vietnam, as part of the nationwide Vietnam Food Bank Network.

The collaborative model of the program enhances preparedness and response capacity during crises, strengthening community resilience. The Đà Nẵng Red Cross Society, a key partner in this initiative, has committed to utilizing all available resources to ensure the project's effectiveness and to spread its humanitarian values throughout every neighborhood and shelter in the city.

Lê Thị Như Hồng, chairwoman of the Đà Nẵng Red Cross Society, stated that the launch of the program reflects solidarity and compassion in the community. Each community food bank, according to the Food Bank Network, is more than just a warehouse; it serves as a place that inspires kindness, encourages sharing, and connects social resources with a common goal: no one is left behind.

The organizers expect the initiative to raise public awareness about sustainable consumption and healthy diets. Nguyễn Tuấn Khởi, chairman of the Food Bank Network, views the initiative as a step towards creating a humanitarian and sustainable food ecosystem in Việt Nam.

[1] Food Bank Đà Nẵng and "Đà Nẵng Food Community" Program Launch. (2022, August 10). Retrieved from https://www.foodbankvietnam.org/news/food-bank-da-nang-and-da-nang-food-community-program-launch

[2] Food Bank Network. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.foodbankvietnam.org/

[3] The Role of Food Banks in Combating Hunger and Food Waste. (2021, October 15). Retrieved from https://www.foodbankvietnam.org/blog/the-role-of-food-banks-in-combating-hunger-and-food-waste

Aiming to establish a more sustainable and compassionate food ecosystem in Đà Nẵng, the Food Bank Đà Nẵng and the "Đà Nẵng Food Community" program, which collects surplus food from various sources and redistributes it to those in need, is part of a nationwide mission to "Leave no one behind."
By implementing this initiative, the program not only seeks to mitigate hunger but also combats food waste, raising public awareness about sustainable consumption and healthy diets, and promoting environmental sustainability.
To strengthen community resilience, the collaborative model of the program enhances preparedness and response capacity during crises by connecting donors, businesses, and vulnerable people.
The Đà Nẵng Red Cross Society, a key partner in this initiative, has committed to utilizing all available resources to ensure the project's effectiveness and to spread its humanitarian values throughout every neighborhood and shelter in the city.
According to the Food Bank Network, each community food bank serves as a place that inspires kindness, encourages sharing, and connects social resources with a common goal: no one is left behind in the food-and-drink, health-and-wellness, lifestyle, nutrition, food-and-waste, business, science, AI, war, and labor sectors.