As families across Hong Kong prepare to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with mooncakes and gatherings, two major food recovery organisations are launching citywide collection campaigns to redistribute surplus festive foods to those in need, cutting waste and spreading goodwill.
Hong Kong’s post-festival food waste problem is a perennial challenge, but this year, the non-profit groups Food Grace and St. James’ Settlement’s FOOD-CO are stepping up with an ambitious response. From late August through mid-September 2026, they are setting up more than 260 public collection points across all 18 districts, inviting residents to donate unopened mooncakes, mooncake vouchers, and other non-perishable foods. The goal: reduce edible waste while helping low-income families share in the season’s abundance.
A Growing Network of Collection Hubs
Food Grace, a veteran environmental charity, launched its “Nutritious Mid-Autumn 2026” drive on August 26, running through September 21. With support from over 250 corporations, housing estates, and community groups, the organisation has placed more than 240 drop-off bins in shopping malls, office towers, and public spaces. Locations include the New Town Plaza complex in Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan Plaza, APM in Kwun Tong, and IFC Mall in Central, among many others.
To date, Food Grace reports having collected and redistributed an impressive 263,000 mooncakes to underprivileged families and elderly individuals since the initiative began. This year, 240 partner organisations have also signed the “Mid-Autumn Food-Waste Pledge,” committing to responsible consumption and donation.
“We want every mooncake to end up on a table, not in a landfill,” said a Food Grace spokesperson. “The response from the public and corporate partners shows that Hong Kongers genuinely care about fighting food waste.”
St. James’ Settlement Expands Its Reach
Meanwhile, St. James’ Settlement’s FOOD-CO platform is running its own “2026 Mid-Autumn Food Collection” from now until September 14, operating 24 dedicated collection points across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. Sites include shopping centres in Tuen Mun, Sha Tin, Wong Tai Sin, and Chai Wan, as well as two direct drop-off locations: the charity’s headquarters at 85 Stone Nullah Lane in Wan Chai, and its Tsuen Wan service centre.
FOOD-CO has stringent safety guidelines to ensure donated items are safe for consumption. All food products must have at least eight weeks of shelf life remaining from the date of donation. Mooncake vouchers must be valid for redemption on or after September 14, 2026, giving the charity sufficient time to distribute them.
Accepted items include:
- Individually wrapped or canned mooncakes (unopened)
- Mooncake vouchers (with later redemption dates)
- Small gift packs and packaged snacks
- Long-life staples: rice, noodles, canned goods, cereal, and biscuits
Not accepted:
- Perishable items (e.g., ice-cream mooncakes, fresh fruit)
- Food stored in glass or fragile containers
Why This Matters Beyond the Festive Season
Hong Kong generates an estimated 3,600 tonnes of food waste daily, with festive periods exacerbating the problem. According to environmental groups, millions of mooncakes go uneaten every year, representing both financial loss and environmental harm. These collection drives offer a practical, community-based solution: redirecting surplus to charity kitchens, food banks, and grassroots families who might otherwise go without.
For donors, the process is straightforward. Simply bring acceptable items to any listed collection point during opening hours. No registration is required. Those with questions can contact Food Grace at 2699 9480 or email foodgrace@communityleap.org. For FOOD-CO, call 2117 5855 or WhatsApp 9377 3740.
Looking Ahead: A Call for Year-Round Action
While these campaigns are timed to the Mid-Autumn Festival, advocates emphasise that food waste is a year-round issue. Both organisations run continuous food recovery programmes and welcome ongoing support. Residents are encouraged to explore volunteering opportunities, host office collection drives, or simply adopt mindful consumption habits—buying only what they can eat and sharing the rest.
As one Kowloon City resident who has donated for three years running put it: “It’s not about giving away leftovers. It’s about making sure the joy of the festival reaches everyone—not just those who can afford to buy 10 boxes of mooncakes.”
For a full list of collection points and hours, visit the official websites of Food Grace (www.foodgrace.org.hk) and FOOD-CO (food-co.hk). Let this Mid-Autumn Festival be a time not just of reunion, but of generosity and resourcefulness—one mooncake at a time.