‘This is a huge help’: how hi-tech food banks help people in Shenzhen

In the Chinese tech hub of Shenzhen, a food bank initiative provides surplus food to people in need using smart technology. Users can collect food 24/7 from about 20 different vending machines around the district of Futian. They register through an app, avoiding face-to-face interactions to protect their privacy. Since its launch in 2022, more than 500,000 portions of food have been distributed to low‑income families, people with disabilities and seniors, according to the Futian district government.