# Bishan Marketplace Offers Discounted Surplus Food to Combat Waste Residents access near-expiry and imperfect goods at 50% to 70% discounts in Singapore. - **Source:** [The Straits Times – Singapore](https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore) - **Published:** 2026-11-07 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/ae4029f8-9c6c-4461-bf70-77d54f39a9b4 ## Community-Led Waste Reduction The Project Zero Waste Marketplace at Bishan Community Club held its eighth edition on November 7, 2026. This ground-up initiative, launched in 2023, connects vendors with residents to sell surplus, near-expiry, or imperfectly packaged food. The event aims to mitigate food waste while providing affordable grocery options for local households. ## Significant Price Reductions Shoppers benefited from price cuts ranging between 50% and 70% off standard retail rates. Specific deals included $1 cans of baked beans and $2 packs of steamed buns. One fruit vendor offered a flat-rate box for $8.90, allowing residents to stock up on essential items at a fraction of typical costs. ## Vendor Participation Strategy Over 20 vendors, including local farmers and large-scale distributors, participated in the event. Companies like CS Tay utilized the platform to clear stock nearing expiration dates that supermarkets would otherwise reject. By selling these items, vendors recover partial costs while simultaneously contributing to community welfare and reducing their overall environmental footprint. ## Economic Context and Trends The marketplace addresses rising living costs, with Singapore’s overall price increase for households reaching 1.7% year-on-year in the first half of 2026. This represents an acceleration from the 0.9% pace recorded in the second half of 2025, prompting residents to seek more cost-effective ways to manage their daily household grocery expenses. ## Evolution of Food Rescue The initiative originated from a 2022 food rescue project where volunteers gathered surplus items for free distribution. Organizers later transitioned to the marketplace model to ensure long-term sustainability for vendors. This shift allows businesses to clear inventory effectively while maintaining a charitable focus, supporting lower-income families through accessible, discounted food products. ## Broader Food Resilience Efforts Parliamentary debates in September 2026 highlighted food resilience as a critical national concern. MPs emphasized the need to tackle food waste amid price hikes driven by hotter weather patterns and ongoing Middle East conflicts. The marketplace serves as a practical, localized solution to these macro-level challenges affecting Singapore's food supply chain. ## Coordinated Donation Drives Simultaneously, volunteers in Queenstown conducted a food donation drive on November 7, collecting items from 10 community partners and six corporate entities. These goods were distributed to nearly 500 residents in need. This collaborative effort underscores a wider movement across Singapore to integrate sustainability with social support for vulnerable populations. ## Future Market Outlook The marketplace now operates two to three times annually, drawing hundreds of attendees from across the region, including Woodlands and Bedok. As popularity grows, the model demonstrates a scalable approach to waste management. Future success will depend on continued vendor engagement and the ability to maintain consistent supply for residents. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/community/residents-flock-to-bishan-marketplace-for-near-expiry-and-imperfect-food-at-discounted-prices — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._