The MySaveFood@Ramadan (MSF) programme has successfully salvaged approximately 150 kilograms of surplus food and beverages in its first week this year, marking a significant drop from last year’s 400 kilograms collected over the same period.
Perak GEMA Malaysia Youth Organisation (GEMA) Chairman, Puteri Aisyah Megat Shariffudin, revealed that the food was gathered from four Ramadan bazaars in Perak since the initiative commenced on March 4.
“This year, the MSF programme has been implemented at four Ramadan bazaars, namely Taman Cempaka, Ungku Omar Polytechnic, Teluk Intan, and CDEc in Seri Iskandar,” she stated.
She attributed the decline in surplus food collection to heightened awareness among traders regarding food waste. “Some of the bazaars we previously worked with are now more conscious of food wastage and have adjusted their sales quotas accordingly. Additionally, unpredictable weather conditions can also influence the amount of unsold food. For instance, heavy rain often results in increased surplus,” she explained when contacted by Bernama.
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Last year, the MSF initiative successfully recovered around 60,000 kilograms of food and beverages nationwide, with Perak alone contributing approximately 3,000 kilograms through operations at nine Ramadan bazaars across the state.
The MySaveFood@Ramadan 2025 campaign aims to expand its reach across multiple districts, including Ipoh, Batu Gajah, Tapah, Teluk Intan, Bagan Datuk, Tanjung Malim, Seri Iskandar, Manjung, and Taiping. The programme is set to operate at 15 Ramadan bazaars from March 2 to 26, continuing its mission to curb food waste.
“Our objective remains unchanged—to minimize waste at Ramadan bazaars while redistributing food to those in need,” Puteri Aisyah emphasized.
The salvaged food is distributed to underprivileged groups, including the homeless, orphans, and low-income families. “One of the recipients is a single mother with six children. Normally, she can only afford to prepare one or two meals, but thanks to this initiative, her children can enjoy a more varied diet,” she shared.
The MSF programme continues to serve as a vital effort in promoting sustainability and addressing food security issues during Ramadan.
