An 84-year-old man, identified as Wang, has been seen eating leftovers at Chinatown’s People’s Park Food Centre. Wang clarified that he is not consuming leftovers due to financial constraints but because he believes it is wasteful to discard perfectly good food.
Background
Shin Min Daily News received a tip-off from a concerned reader about Wang’s behaviour. Upon investigation, reporters found Wang with a cup of sugarcane drink, a cup of orange juice, a bag of bananas, and a packet of fried noodles. He was observed setting up a makeshift dining area outside the nearby Chinatown MRT station exit. Wang, who resides in Pasir Ris, mentioned that he started visiting Chinatown a few months ago because of its lively atmosphere. He returns home to his family in the evenings.
‘The food is still warm’
Wang admitted to having a habit of picking up and eating leftovers, not out of necessity but to prevent food waste. He often sees large portions of food left behind, such as half-eaten fish and nearly untouched plates. “The food is still warm,” Wang said. “It’s such a waste. That’s why I eat them.”
Not the only one
Wang is not alone in this practice. A 52-year-old hawker, who has been operating at the food centre for over a decade, reported seeing three to four elderly individuals eating leftovers daily. Other workers at the food centre confirmed this, noting that these elderly people often appear during lunchtime. Wang also mentioned seeing others like him but stated, “We eat each our own and don’t interact with each other.”
Better to ask if you can eat the leftovers before people leave: Freegan group founder
Daniel Tay, a founder of Freegan In Singapore, advised against eating strangers’ leftovers due to potential health risks. He suggested that people should ask diners if they can have their uneaten food while they are still at the table. “Not only does this ensure that the food is clean and edible, those who provide the food will become more aware of the food waste they are causing,” Tay said.
Related stories
This incident highlights a broader issue of food waste and the lengths to which some individuals will go to prevent it. Similar cases have been reported, including elderly men seen eating leftovers at other hawker centres. These stories underscore the need for greater awareness and action to reduce food waste in Singapore.
