In Thailand, the amount of food waste is estimated to be 1.14 kilogram per person per day, of which, 64% is surplus food. Selectively, 1 kilogram of surplus food makes 3 meals for refugees and underprivileged groups. This is why Beko (Thailand) Co.,Ltd., the fastest-growing home appliances brand in Europe, is partnering with Scholars of Sustenance Thailand Foundation (SOS Foundation) to seek ways to reduce environmental pollution arising from leftover, with the “Freeze Out Food Waste” campaign. Under the campaign, Beko presented 6 NeoFrost refrigerators to 6 participating schools to store surplus food to be delivered to less fortunate individuals each day.
“Besides our dedication in creating innovation in home appliances that fit the needs of the new generation of consumers and their lifestyles, we are also committed to making lives more convenient,” explained Pornchai Trakultechadej, Marketing and Product Management Director, Asia Pacific, Beko (Thai) Co., Ltd.
“We work hard to ensure that our innovations are part of social and environmental development, from environmentally friendly and energy saving manufacturing processes and products to NeoFrost refrigerators’ effectiveness in preserving food’s freshness. This is also closely aligned to the mission of SOS Foundation Thailand that works towards managing surplus food in different communities and donating to communities that are in need. In supporting their mission, Beko is more than happy to give 6 refrigerators to SOS Foundation Thailand to be distributed to different schools, such that children can learn the value of surplus food and store it in our NeoFrost fridges prior to delivery to less fortunate children.”
“SOS Foundation is committed to reducing the amount of food waste in Thailand, so we exerted ourselves into hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, cafés and so on to help manage and sort out quality surplus foods that donors have put in the community fridges that we’ve installed,” added Abigail Smith, Chief Operating Officer, SOS Foundation Thailand.”
“With the implementation of the community fridge program, we are able to take unused or cut fruits and vegetables and guarantee that it goes to an end more meaningful than a waste bin. Our staff, all trained in food safety and handling, will sort the high-quality leftover food to be delivered to communities that are in need of food, such as Mercy Centre Klongtoey, Half-Way Home for Men, Half-Way Home for Women, and Pakkred Babies Home without any charges.”
“After officially establishing in early 2016, we have donated over 300,000 meals. We are also able to manage foods that are unfit for consumption by implementing a composting program for farmers in the greater Bangkok area.”
“We are happy to hear that those in the private sector are also concerned with ensuring that surplus food has a purposeful end. This has led to our collaboration with Beko and local schools. We hope that through our efforts, we can ensure that we are feeding those in need while also reducing carbon emissions from waste.”
The “Freeze Out Food Waste” campaign will run from January to June 2018.
Beko is proud to provide a total of six Neofrost fridges, Midnight Black Series to Scholars of Sustenance Foundation to be distributed to six different schools, starting with The Topsy Turvy of Bangkok.
Besides the fridges, the partners will join forces in educating young students on the importance of surplus food management and its nutrition by telling the story of “Tommy Tomato.”
Food experts from SOS Foundation Thailand will also teach children the nutritional value of locally grown fruits and vegetables and hold a cooking workshop showcasing ingredients, like vegetable scraps, that are typically disposed of.
