KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 (Bernama) -- An estimated 15,000 more people across Malaysia will benefit from food aid over the next year following Japan’s donation of two high-capacity logistics trucks to The Lost Food Project (TLFP), which will enhance the organisation’s capacity to rescue and redistribute surplus food.
Funded and delivered under Japan's prestigious Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), the trucks will significantly enhance TLFP's capacity to rescue more quality surplus food from going to landfills and redistribute it to vulnerable communities across the nation.
"TLFP shares this vision of empowering communities and addressing social challenges," said Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, Noriyuki Shikata, in a statement on Tuesday.
“This initiative closely aligns with our mission to advance grassroots human security by addressing food insecurity while reducing environmental waste.
“We hope these Japanese-manufactured trucks will serve as reliable workhorses, enhancing TLFP's remarkable efforts to assist vulnerable families and contribute to building a more resilient, sustainable society," he said.
The addition of two newly sponsored, Japanese-manufactured Isuzu trucks is set to transform TLFP’s capabilities by introducing immediate, high-capacity refrigerated logistics.
Each vehicle can rescue approximately eight pallets of food and essential items per trip.
This temperature-controlled transport ensures that fresh produce remains fresh and optimal upon reaching beneficiaries, making it ideal for long-haul trips.
Crucially, these trucks enable TLFP to advance towards its long-term vision of a pan-Malaysian operation, extending its reach beyond the Klang Valley.
By establishing new logistical pipelines to Ipoh and targeting the Cameron Highlands, one of Malaysia's primary sources of surplus agricultural produce, the team aims to significantly broaden its food rescue reach in the coming months.
"Recently we hit growth blocks. Our collections here in the Klang Valley maxed out because our vehicles were overutilised and put under strain. Our drivers are under stress, working long hours to deliver everything we have rescued.
“Also, our efforts to expand to other areas of Malaysia had to wait while we saved up resources for vehicles and warehouses," said President of TLFP Geoff King.
Expressing his appreciation to the People of Japan, King said: “We are able to push ahead, increase our collection volumes, and overcome these growth blocks with the new trucks.”
“Each truck carries up to eight pallets, around 3,000 to 4,000 kilograms of food per trip. Here in the Klang Valley, we can expand food collection trips by over 10 per cent, bringing the total to 115 beneficiary organisations.
“In addition, we are now able to open our second centre in Ipoh, deploying one of the trucks to collect agricultural surplus straight from source.”
This enhanced capacity will encourage more commercial donors to view TLFP as a solution provider for rescuing food that would otherwise end up in the landfill.
Over the 12-month project period, this increased transport capacity will scale the total beneficiaries served by TLFP by 11 per cent, assisting an additional 15,000 people.
The generous sponsorship will enable TLFP to onboard an estimated five new low-cost housing communities, bringing the total to 38 People’s Housing Programme (PPR) units, while simultaneously partnering with 10 new charities to serve 115 organisations in total.
This enables TLFP to rescue and distribute a greater volume of food, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables, thereby directly improving the food security and nutritional intake of the beneficiaries.
The strategic fleet expansion follows a major operational evolution for the organisation.
After upgrading from a facility under 1,000 square feet to a larger footprint in 2023, TLFP has since optimised its distribution centre to a highly dynamic 7,000 square feet.
This precise scaling is designed for maximum efficiency and a rapid-turnover model, as the rescued items consist of fresh perishables and near-expiry goods. The facility functions as a fast-moving transit hub, ensuring food is quickly distributed and consumed by those in need.
Operating from this high-efficiency hub has enabled TLFP to accept much larger food donations.
In addition to rescuing fresh produce from vendors at the Kuala Lumpur wholesale market (PBKL), the organisation successfully onboarded major wholesalers, importers, and exporters beyond its established network.
Due to the higher volume of food rescued, TLFP scaled its outreach in PPRs to 33 locations from 15 to ensure equitable distribution.
-- BERNAMA
