Changing the Fate of Lost Food
Suzanne Mooney, a passionate advocate for sustainable food systems, is the founder of Malaysia's pioneering sustainable food bank, The Lost Food Project.
Under her leadership, became a foundational partner in the Malaysian government-led national food bank program. Her commitment to reducing food waste in the country led to groundbreaking enactment of Malaysia’s first-ever food waste law in October 2019.
Suzanne with the TLFP Pasar Borong team, loading a 5T truck with fresh vegetables for the PPR B40 communities
A waste warrior
Suzanne's commitment to addressing food waste ignited in 1995 during her time as a waitress in Cape Town.
Upon relocating to Malaysia in 2015, this passion drove her to extend her mission to her new community, culminating in the establishment of The Lost Food Project—an NGO committed to salvaging high-quality, nutritious food from the brink of landfills.
Initially shouldering the financial expenses, Suzanne's unwavering dedication resulted in substantial support for The Lost Food Project, securing a total of RM 679,852 from grants and fundraising events in 2019. The organisation has subsequently extended its outreach to Johor Bahru and Sabah.
The first ever food collected for TLFP was from Jason’s in Feb 2016
From Waste to Wonderful Food
Suzanne and her team vetted charities and had a rotation of 4-5 food pick-ups each week, collecting food from supermarkets and sending it to charities.
As the number of food sources grew, the operations expanded to a warehouse within the Red Crescent HQ in KL. They received their first truck through donations from Delivering Better Lives.
The first ever pick up from BIG supermarkets
To date, they have distributed over 8.5 million meals and rescued more than 2.6 million kg of food, contributing to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.
Suzanne’s role as a strategic partner of Yayasan Food Bank, Malaysia's first government-led food bank, showcases the recognition of her impactful work.
Her involvement in the Food Donor Protection Bill, approved in October 2019, further solidifies her commitment to legislative change.
Her work with The Lost Food Project and beyond have earned multiple accolades, including the UN Sustainable Development Goal #2 and Europa Award For Sustainability in 2019.
In parliament for the passing of the first ever food waste law being passed in Malaysia (with TLFP colleagues & Minister Saifuddin and his team, Oct 2019)
Educating the Future Agents of Change
Suzanne actively collaborates with schools and universities, engaging in activities, games, and composting projects to instill awareness of food waste and sustainability from a young age.
Suzanne’s message to the youth echoes the power of individual action in driving societal change. She emphasises the need for collective efforts to mitigate environmental damage and enhance sustainability.
The first ever food collected for TLFP was from Jason’s in Feb 2016
Disclaimer:
The information in this award recipient's profile is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the time the award was presented. Any subsequent changes, updates, or developments in the individual's life or achievements may not be reflected in this profile.