Think of “Food” and “Asia” and what comes to mind is a rich and diverse mosaic of landscapes and sentiments: on the one hand, we can imagine golden fields of rice tended by tight-knit communities, abundant harvests at year-end festivals, and sprawling, animated markets; however, we also have unsavory images of grain rotting in the heat, poverty-stricken and hungry children, and food riots in urban centers.
Is it possible for the region to develop alternative, sustainable and equitable food systems? What opportunities and possibilities can social entrepreneurship bring to address this complex and critical situation?

Mr K K Tse, Chair of the Hong Kong Social Entrepreneurship Forum, was in Singapore to attend the inaugural Social iCon 2009; a one-day conference organized by the Lien Centre for Social Innovation at the Singapore Management University.

Middleman recyclers like Thomas and Ms Chye form part of a vibrant informal economy that provides a viable source of income for the elderly who otherwise may not find employment. They bridge an important gap and their collection routine form important social nodes for reaching out to at-risk groups of elderly.