From Community to Action: A Farewell to In-Person Meetups and the Next Chapter in Food Sustainability

 Attendees at the new Tong Chong Kitchen!

This week, we gathered with members and new friends at the updated Tong Chong Kitchen, marking a refreshing new chapter for the beloved Quarry Bay space following KIN’s closure earlier this year. The new setup has maintained the essence of the food hall, and my favourite was a twist on the classic lunchbox—a “This, This and That” set with rice, greens, and a choice of protein. The lunchtime buzz was alive and well, and the sustainability-inspired decor remains perfectly preserved—a testament to thoughtful design that avoids waste.

Our gathering wasn’t just about reconnecting; it was also the setting for our final in-person event of 2024, themed around community.

Highlights from our last in person meetup of 2024

Are you feeling the pressure to do more for your community? You’re not alone.

Nine out of ten consumers now expect businesses to support socially responsible causes, but many F&B outlets find it challenging to find the time, resources, or awareness to do so. This month’s meetup was our chance to change that, and we were thrilled to explore creative and meaningful ways to support our local community.

Lucky winners from our Kahoot quiz with their prizes – Vidushi, Basel and Sara with our guest speaker Tegan

Tegan Shares Her Book on the Journey of Refugees in Hong Kong

From donating your time to sharing your skills through volunteer opportunities, we discussed how every small effort can lead to a greater impact. We were honoured to introduce our speaker, Tegan Smith, who gave a sneak preview of her upcoming book. Over seven years, Tegan has poured her heart into documenting the journeys of refugees in Hong Kong—a community facing some of the toughest asylum conditions in the world. Her book shares stories of remarkable resilience, showing how they survive and adapt despite overwhelming challenges.

For those unfamiliar with the realities faced by Hong Kong’s refugee community, here are a few eye-opening facts:

• Daily Food Allowance: Refugees here receive a food allowance of just HK$40 per day. Imagine feeding yourself—and, for many, a family—on that amount in one of the world’s most expensive cities.
• Refugee Acceptance Rate: Shockingly, Hong Kong’s refugee acceptance rate is less than 1%, making it one of the most stringent places in the world for asylum seekers.
• Right to Work: While waiting for their cases to be decided—a process that can take years—asylum seekers in Hong Kong are not legally allowed to work. Many live in prolonged uncertainty, relying on limited allowances and community support to survive.

Our top 3 ways to get involved and support the community

The Universal Language of Food

Tegan’s book, which includes incredible recipes from around the world, illustrates the role food plays as both a bridge to home and a lifeline for survival. It’s filled with powerful stories of struggle, resilience, and the universal language of food—a truly inspiring read that I encourage you to check out.

One of her key initiatives, Table of Two Cities: Untold Stories of Refugees in Hong Kong, is a bilingual publication launching this November. Featuring interviews and recipes from refugees, the book will amplify their voices and support the ongoing work of Grassroots Future—a charity dedicated to empowering grassroots movements and building capacity within the refugee and asylum-seeker community.

Tegan’s book – Table of Two Cities: Untold Stories of Refugees in Hong Kong

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our host, Graham Long, as well as Gary and the team at Tong Chong Kitchen for their incredible support and hospitality.

Our Last In-Person Monthly Meetup 😢

The event ended on a nostalgic note as we announced that this gathering would mark the end of Future Green’s monthly in-person meetups. After four years and 40 meetups on food sustainability, we’re moving these gatherings online in 2025. This decision, while bittersweet, allows us to focus our energies on even more pressing projects around food strategy sprints.

Sharing ideas, experiences and making new connections

Over the years, we’ve built a passionate community, providing education on the critical need for sustainable food systems. Now, we’re taking this commitment further by dedicating our resources to practical, hands-on projects. From designing sustainable menu strategies to launching food waste reduction programmes, we’re ready to help teams take the urgent steps needed for real change.

Stay Tuned for What Comes Ahead!

I’m thrilled to share that I’m writing a book on Future Green’s journey. Over the past five years, we’ve been privileged to work alongside food businesses in Hong Kong, helping them navigate the shift towards sustainability. This book will reflect on the insights, challenges, and triumphs we’ve encountered along the way.

Though our in-person meetups have come to a close, Future Green’s mission is more alive than ever. We’ll be scaling up our consultancy projects and continuing to make waves both online and in person as we bring food sustainability to the forefront of the industry. Projects in the pipeline include closer collaboration with landlord developers and caterers to design stakeholder engagement initiatives—we can’t wait to share more.

Thank you for being part of Future Green’s journey. Here’s to new beginnings, meaningful connections, and collective action in 2025 and beyond!

Check out our reel from the Meetup

 

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Contact Us: Got questions or ideas? Email us at hello@futuregreen.global.

Together, we’re not just talking about a sustainable future; we’re building it. Let’s make every meal a story worth telling.

Stay green, stay inspired.

Future Green Team

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