The Food Bank's Nichol Ng believes that tackling food waste would solve Singapore's food societal needs

In a world of increasing poverty and hunger, Nichol Ng, co-founder of Singapore's Food Bank, is more than determined to create a world-class food bank by redirecting excess food to those in need in a professional and accountable manner.

Ng is no stranger to the food industry having set up food distribution giant, X-Inc with her younger brother in 2007 and also taking over and modernising Ng Chye Mong which was started by their grandfather in 1939.

She experienced the food service industry firsthand and noticed that while there were many gourmet suppliers, there wasn't a true food service provider like in the USA and Europe, where F&B businesses can source nearly everything from one place.

This inspired a vision to build a forward-thinking food service provider for the region—one rooted in Asian values and understanding the complexities of Asian markets, where relationships and intricate cuisines play a central role.

Ending food waste

As a self-professed entrepreneur of an SG$80 million business with five subsidiaries across Singapore's food distribution, logistics, and property sectors, Ng wanted to motivate her peers in the trade to address the issue.

"In 2010, we were inspired by the shocking amounts of still good-to-eat food that was discarded by wholesalers and retailers," Ng explains, underscoring her determination to help the vulnerable and needy in Singapore. "It drove us to think of a programme to channel these excesses to NGOs and those in need."

She explained that, with their strong connections to major players in the food service industry, she hoped to inspire them to use their excess resources to help the vulnerable and needy in the community. This led her to study international feeding programs on a larger scale before founding The Food Bank Singapore in 2012, with the goal of creating a world-class system for redirecting surplus food to those in need — professionally and with full accountability.

Through tough times

Ng's tone shifts as the conversation turns personal — her true motivation lies in supporting her father as he rebuilt his life after bankruptcy and continuing her grandfather’s legacy for another 100 years, though in a different form. For her, it’s a powerful reminder of the immense responsibilities placed on her. "That sense of love, passion, and responsibility pushed us into the fire," Ng shares.

Today, what drives her forward is the deep family bond that compels her to reinvent the business, rather than focusing on its monetary value. The real motivation for her has always been keeping her promise to grow the business sustainably guided by a strong desire to give back to the community.

The pursuit of entrepreneurship

Still, Ng believes entrepreneurship is worth pursuing in some capacity, as it pushes people out of their comfort zones, encourages risk-taking, and fosters creativity. Managing a company, she notes, also comes with the responsibility of having others' livelihoods in your hands. During tough times, especially in economic downturns, it raises the critical question of what kind of leader you want to be.

Though challenging, Ng remains optimistic about the future of entrepreneurship, particularly in her commitment to empowering the younger generation. "It comes down to those brave enough to take the plunge and create the impact they’re destined to make," she says.

As our conversation concludes, Ng reflects on her own entrepreneurial journey. "I’ve learned not only from my own challenges but also from trusted peers in executive networks like the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO), where we can be vulnerable and learn from the best of the best," she shares.

The task ahead for Ng is immense, with significant challenges. Yet, armed with a clear sense of purpose and a drive to balance professionalism with accountability, she remains unwavering in her mission to end hunger in Singapore by next year — an ambitious goal, but one she approaches with determination and the belief that meaningful change is within reach.