As Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, two major food recovery programs launch citywide collections to redistribute excess mooncakes to families in need.
HONG KONG — Every year, the glow of lanterns and the sharing of mooncakes define the Mid-Autumn Festival, a cherished symbol of reunion. Yet for many households, the celebration leaves behind a less-welcome tradition: piles of uneaten mooncakes and seasonal treats that risk going to waste. In response, two of Hong Kong’s leading food rescue organizations—Food Grace and St. James’ Settlement’s FOOD-CO—are launching parallel mooncake and food donation drives across the city from late August through mid-September 2026, aiming to channel surplus into the hands of grassroots communities.
A Citywide Network for Surplus Food
Food Grace, an environmental charity focused on food waste reduction, announced its “Nutritious Mid-Autumn 2026” campaign running from August 26 to September 21. The organization has established over 240 public collection points spanning every district in Hong Kong—from Kwai Tsing and Tuen Mun to Eastern District and the outlying islands. Supported by more than 250 corporate, community, and property partners, the drive has already secured 240 signatories to its “Mid-Autumn Food-Wise Charter” and, in previous years, successfully redirected 263,000 mooncakes to low-income families and elderly individuals.
Meanwhile, St. James’ Settlement’s FOOD-CO platform is running its “Mid-Autumn Food Collection 2026” from now until September 14, with 24 designated drop-off locations across New Territories, Kowloon, and Hong Kong Island. These include sites at shopping centres such as Lek Yuen Plaza, Lok Fu Plaza, and Yiu Tung Shopping Centre, as well as direct collection points at St. James’ Settlement premises in Wan Chai and Kwai Chung.
What You Can Donate—and What You Cannot
Both organizations stress that donated items must be unopened and in their original packaging. FOOD-CO specifies that all food products must have at least eight weeks of shelf life remaining, while mooncake vouchers must be valid for redemption on or after September 14, 2026, to allow sufficient time for distribution.
Acceptable donations include:
- Individually wrapped or canned mooncakes
- Mooncake vouchers
- Small gift boxes and packaged snacks
- Non-perishable staples such as rice, noodles, canned goods, cereal, and biscuits
Items not accepted:
- Perishable foods such as ice-cream mooncakes or fresh fruit
- Items in glass or breakable containers
How to Participate
Residents can simply visit any participating collection point during operating hours. Food Grace provides a searchable list of addresses, including prominent locations like apm in Kwun Tong, New Town Plaza in Sha Tin, and Tuen Mun’s V City. For FOOD-CO, donors can find bins at 13 New Territories malls—including Fu Tai Shopping Centre and T Town—plus eight Kowloon locations such as Wong Tai Sin Plaza and Lok Fu Plaza, and two Hong Kong Island sites.
For inquiries, Food Grace can be reached at 2699 9480 or via email at foodgrace@communityleap.org. FOOD-CO offers phone support at 2117 5855 and WhatsApp at 9377 3740.
A Broader Mission: Cutting Waste, Feeding Hope
Beyond seasonal charity, these initiatives tackle a deeper problem. Hong Kong sends over 3,600 tonnes of food waste to landfills daily, according to the Environmental Protection Department, with festive periods generating sharp spikes in discarded packaged goods. By redistributing mooncakes instead of binning them, organizers not only reduce environmental strain but also address food insecurity, which affects an estimated one in five households in the city.
“The festival is about togetherness, but not everyone can afford to celebrate with traditional foods,” said a spokesperson for St. James’ Settlement. “We invite everyone to share that blessing.”
Looking Ahead
As the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, both campaigns underscore a growing culture of mindful consumption. With more than 260 drop-off points islandwide, residents have an unprecedented opportunity to turn excess into empathy. Whether you have one mooncake or a dozen, your donation ensures that no one is left out of the celebration.
For a full list of collection points and updated guidelines, visit the official websites of Food Grace and FOOD-CO before heading out.