Residents buy discounted surplus food to combat rising living costs

Hundreds of residents visited the Project Zero Waste Marketplace at Bishan Community Club in Singapore on November 7 to purchase discounted food.

The market sells surplus goods, items with imperfect packaging, and food nearing its expiration date at prices between 50% and 70% off the usual retail cost. Community volunteers started the initiative in 2023 to help people manage high living costs.

More than 20 vendors, including local vegetable farmers and large-scale food distributors, participate in the event to recover costs and reduce waste. Some distributors sell items below cost to ensure they are consumed rather than thrown away. The marketplace has grown in popularity, attracting shoppers from various parts of Singapore. The event occurs as the Department of Statistics reported a 1.7% year on year increase in household prices during the first half of 2026.

In a separate effort in Queenstown, approximately 100 volunteers collected donated items to support nearly 500 residents in need. These activities align with parliamentary discussions regarding food resilience and waste reduction in Singapore.