During the ongoing Shenzhen NPC and CPPCC meetings, Zhang Cankun, a CPPCC deputy, has submitted a proposal suggesting a food bank be set up to help needy people.

Zhang says there is a lot of waste in society. For example, some citizens often throw away good food and food sellers sometimes may have to spend a lot of money disposing of their food that can't be sold because it is going to expire. He suggests a plan to collect that food which is going to expire or has just expired from the food sellers and citizens and then distribute it to poor people after making sure that the food is sanitary and safe.

Zhang says that there is no need to worry about the source of the food as the food bank can sign deals with supermarkets and bakeries for them to provide food for free, and this will help the companies deal with their unwanted excess. In addition, families can donate their unwanted food to the food bank. Zhang suggests that the food bank adhere to a free collection and free distribution principle and should not charge extra fees for this food.

There is no word yet if this plan will be initiated, but local Chinese media report great interest from other deputies.