May 2, 2025 - At Thailand Science Park, Pathum Thani: The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), in collaboration with the Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organization, the Office for Local Administration Promotion in Pathum Thani, the Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office, and the Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) Foundation, signed a memorandum of understanding on the “Scaling Up Surplus Food Management Initiatives for Food Waste Reduction and Improved Food Security at the Community Level”.
The initiative aims to reduce local food waste and enhance food security within Pathum Thani communities through a Local Food Rescue mechanism. It prioritizes vulnerable populations, including low-income families, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and disaster victims.
At its core, this collaboration will establish the "Pathum Thani Food Bank Model," a framework designed to address food accessibility challenges and champion sustainable food surplus management through the strategic application of science, technology, and innovation. Key operational elements will encompass food safety protocols, efficient preservation and transportation methods, big data management for optimal distribution, and comprehensive carbon footprint analysis.
This project is envisioned as a crucial initial step, with the "Pathum Thani Food Bank Model" serving as a blueprint for potential replication in seven additional provinces across Thailand by 2025. The official signing ceremony was a well-attended event, bringing together key executives from the participating organizations, representatives from a robust network of food donors (including Si Mum Mueang Market, Zeer Rangsit, Future Park, Talad Thai, and CP RAM), and community leaders from various areas within Pathum Thani.
Dr. Chularat Tanprasert, Executive Vice President of NSTDA, underscored the agency's ongoing commitment to developing practical tools for effective surplus food management. These tools include comprehensive food safety guidelines for donated food by BIOTEC, intelligent databases and data platforms designed to seamlessly connect food donors, recipients, and relevant organizations by NECTEC. Furthermore, NSTDA is actively engaged in research initiatives focused on the environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions associated with surplus food by MTEC, as well as policy research aimed at establishing “Thailand’s National Food Bank”.
Dr. Chularat also emphasized that the outcomes of this research will be directly applied to support local-level food surplus management through this vital collaboration. Thailand Science Park will function as a central coordination hub, fostering synergistic partnerships between the public and private sectors within Pathum Thani to generate significant social and environmental benefits. This collaborative effort is poised to establish the Pathum Thani food bank as a replicable model for other provinces, ultimately contributing to the reduction of food waste and the cultivation of sustainable community cooperation.
Mr. Pongsatorn Kanchanachitra, Vice Governor of Pathum Thani Province, highlighted the profound importance of the "Pathum Thani Food Bank Model" in achieving sustainable food security for the community. He affirmed that this collaborative project, with its clear focus on reducing food waste and enhancing food security, represents a critical initiative for the province. The "Pathum Thani Food Bank Model" is expected to provide a valuable framework for other provinces seeking to address similar challenges. He noted that three key provincial agencies – the Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organization, the Office for Local Administration Promotion, and the Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office – will play pivotal roles in driving the successful implementation of this model and fostering long-term food security for local communities.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Kamronwit Thoopkrachang, Chief Executive of the Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organization, emphasized the organization's commitment to serving as a central coordinator, fostering strong collaboration among government bodies, the private sector, and civil society organizations. A key focus will be facilitating a robust local food donor network by connecting food producers, wholesale markets, restaurants, convenience stores, hotels, and other businesses to streamline surplus food donation. The organization will also play a crucial role in coordinating food recipient networks, engaging local volunteers, and empowering community members to ensure efficient and equitable food distribution. Furthermore, the organization will actively secure the necessary resources to ensure the project's effective operation, ultimately enhancing food accessibility for vulnerable and low-income individuals. This multi-faceted approach is expected not only to alleviate household financial burdens and improve overall quality of life but also to significantly reduce food waste, mitigate environmental pollution, and ease the strain on waste management budgets.
Mr. Narinsak Phakcharoen, Local Administration Promotion Officer, Senior Professional Level, from the Pathum Thani Provincial Office for Local Administration, stated that the agency will provide crucial support and coordination across various local sectors. This includes assisting in the identification and collection of accurate data on vulnerable groups within the local area to ensure comprehensive outreach and seamless connection with food recipient networks and volunteers. The agency will also actively support public communication efforts to ensure that local authorities and communities have full access to food distribution services.
In a statement, The Pathum Thani Office of Social Development and Human Security has emphasized the agency’s unwavering commitment to supporting individuals across all life stages, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations. The office will play a vital role in identifying target recipients and coordinating with appropriate intermediaries to ensure the effective distribution of surplus food. Furthermore, the agency will actively support community-based volunteer and network organizations in driving the project forward, while also promoting and communicating its impact to ensure broad and inclusive outreach.
Mr. Tawee Imphoonsap, Thailand Country Manager for Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) Foundation, highlighted that the "Food Rescue" initiative was born out of a direct response to the pressing issues of food waste and food insecurity, which profoundly impact both vulnerable populations and the environment. He firmly believes that collaborative efforts across all sectors are indispensable in effectively addressing these complex challenges. Mr. Tawee emphasized that this event signifies a pivotal step in translating the Food Rescue project in Pathum Thani into a tangible reality, contributing to the development of a sustainable surplus food management system, raising crucial awareness about sustainable food consumption practices, and improving access to nutritious food for disadvantaged populations. He concluded by stating that this initiative marks the beginning of a significant long-term partnership with the potential to catalyze positive change throughout Thai society.
Following the signing ceremony, executives, representatives from the MOU parties, project leaders, and network partners participated in a visit to the Ban Mankhong community (Pathum Thani Cooperative Housing Project), situated opposite Thammasat University Rangsit Campus in Khlong Luang District. There, they distributed surplus food to over 200 residents, marking a powerful and symbolic commencement for the "Pathum Thani Food Bank Model." This initiative is driven by a clear vision: to rescue surplus food, preventing unnecessary waste and, in turn, strengthening food security for low-income communities across Thailand.
For more information, please contact:
- NSTDA: 02-564-7000 | Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- SOS Foundation: 02-075-1417, 062-675-0004
- Facebook: @sosfoundationthai