Editorial | Government must do more to tackle food insufficiency in Hong Kong
- With more than 40 per cent of underprivileged Hongkongers going hungry to save money, it is time for more than just handouts. Systemic change is needed
During the festival month when many Hongkongers are focused on “hungry ghosts”, a new survey has shed light on an alarming food insufficiency that haunts far too many people living in the city. Efforts must be stepped up to resolve the problem, which remains entrenched despite the resources of a city where, despite economic woes, the per capita GDP is among the world’s highest.
The survey by local NGO Food Grace found more than 40 per cent of underprivileged Hongkongers have been forced to go hungry to save money and 77 per cent admitted shopping based on price over nutritional value.
The food recycling group found close to half of those surveyed do not get enough nutrients in their daily diet and most said they struggled with high food prices. A disturbing 44 per cent of respondents went hungry to save money and nearly 33 per cent had reduced the number of meals. Food Grace project manager Angela Lo Kok-shan said the findings “revealed the severity of food woes among families”. The results shared on August 13 were based on a survey of 509 residents in July. It included those living on government welfare allowances, low-income households and people with disabilities in the Kwai Tsing and Sham Shui Po districts.
Authorities should heed the NGOs advice about stepping up food assistance to those in need, strengthening supplies and keeping prices stable. More than 46 per cent of those surveyed appealed for government help to access basic nutritious food. The survey should also add urgency to other government priorities. Substandard housing can lead to more hunger since a lack of cooking facilities in such spaces can limit food variety and nutrient intake.
Authorities were also encouraged to press on with tackling food waste. The NGO called for more support groups that recycle meals in a city where each day landfills pile up with thousands of tonnes of food – much of it unused restaurant inventory.
Food Grace encouraged the government to offer more food assistance and nutrition education for low-income residents. Authorities should also review the suitability of items provided at subsidised food banks.