Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in Hong Kong. Traditional foods for celebrating the festival are in great demand, both for home consumption and as gifts.
Leung Kim’s father used to run a traditional Chinese cake and pastry shop with over a hundred year’s history back in Sam Heung, Zhongshan. However, when he came to Hong Kong in the 70 he made a living in a different trade. But his most cherished dream was to bring his father’s brand to Hong Kong. Eight years ago he started a shop with his brother and sister selling cakes and pastries made in the traditional Zhongshan style. Sweet and savoury New Year cakes are in great demand in the weeks leading up to the holiday. Their products have a short shelf-life because the family insists on not using preservatives. This means the factory has to work non-stop day and night to keep up the supply of fresh products to fill the large volume of orders.
After the Chinese New Year there is always a glut of commercially produced traditional holiday foods destined for the landfill. For the staff of Foodlink, a non-profit organization which advocates no food waste, the last few days before Chinese New Year are just as busy as they are for the Leung family. Their mission is to deliver in time the surplus traditional holiday foods donated by large chain food suppliers to the elderly, the disabled and those living below the poverty line so that everyone can enjoy a happy Chinese New Year.
