Food banks gain popularity as nation moves to reduce food wastage
From 8 to 10 each morning, dozens of low-income families and sanitation workers in the Tangqiao neighborhood in Shanghai's Pudong New Area would line up in front of a food bank to collect free vegetables and fruits.
The establishment, created by Shanghai Oasis Ecological Conservation and Communication Center in 2014, is the first of its kind established in the country.
The bank collects donated products-usually food items close to their "best before" dates from supermarkets and producers or excess from restaurants - before redistributing them to the needy who live in the vicinity.
According to the Oasis, the establishment of such food banks is aimed not only at salvaging food that otherwise would be wasted, but also at protecting the environment and helping low-income individuals and families.
