How a tech-driven, dignity-first model is cutting food waste, lowering emissions and quietly helping those in need.
SHENZHEN, China — In a city better known for hardware factories and software startups, a different kind of innovation has been quietly gaining attention online and on the streets. Across Shenzhen’s neighborhoods, smart refrigerators stocked with surplus food are reshaping how cities can fight waste and hunger at the same time — efficiently, safely and without stigma.
Since launching on May 31, 2022, Shenzhen’s 24/7 Food Bank program has distributed close to 500,000 portions of food. In the process, it has prevented an estimated 195 tonnes of food from being wasted and reduced carbon emissions by about 390 tonnes, according to figures released by the project.
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How the System Works
The food banks rely on smart cabinets placed in residential communities. Inside are near-expiry but still safe vegetables, fruits and baked goods, available to people who need them — from sanitation workers and delivery riders to residents facing temporary hardship.
Technology plays a central role. All cabinets are kept at a constant temperature below 10°C, and access is managed through a mobile app. The system allows users to collect food at any hour, without queues or face-to-face interaction.
The result is a service that functions around the clock, while remaining discreet and orderly.
Food Safety at the Core
Food safety is treated as non-negotiable. Donated items undergo multiple checks by community workers and volunteers, who inspect, sort and repackage goods before placing them in the cabinets. All food sources are fully traceable, and the entire program is covered by comprehensive food safety insurance.
Local businesses are key partners. Wang Weimin, manager of the Yitian outlet of Hema Fresh, said his supermarket donates between 20 and 50 portions of food daily. Unsold items are stored overnight, checked again the next morning, and typically placed into food bank refrigerators by 8.30 a.m.
Preserving Dignity Through Design
Unlike traditional charity models, the Shenzhen program was designed to avoid public labeling or embarrassment. Qualification checks are completed entirely online, allowing recipients to access food anonymously.
“Qualification authentication is completely done online,” said Sun Yue, the project’s operations manager. “There’s no face-to-face process, which helps protect privacy.”
For a man surnamed Hu, who discovered the food bank through a short video platform while between jobs, the system provided timely support. “A portion of free food would really help during this period,” he said.
Teaching the Next Generation About Waste
The program’s impact extends beyond immediate relief. For some families, it has become a hands-on lesson in sustainability.
Liu Li, a resident of Futian district, brought his 11-year-old daughter to collect bread from a food bank cabinet. “This is a really good practice,” he said. “Food shouldn’t be wasted. Bringing my daughter here is a way to teach her about cherishing food and low-carbon living through action.”
Supporters say the Shenzhen model works because it treats food waste as a systems problem, not just a moral one. By combining smart technology, business participation and careful logistics, the city has created a mechanism where surplus food is redirected efficiently, rather than discarded.
Since its launch, the initiative has served nearly half a million people — not through handouts, but through a structure that respects choice, privacy and safety.
As the program continues to circulate on social media, its appeal lies in its simplicity: food that would otherwise be thrown away is instead transformed into daily, practical help — reducing waste, cutting emissions and meeting real needs without fanfare.
Lead image courtesy of XINHUA (A staffer put food into a food bank machine in Futian District, Shenzhen on Dec 19, 2025)
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