Food With Benefits has recently joined Dream Impact as a social impact partner.
A local food-tech company founded by a team of HKUST graduates, Food With Benefits is passionate about redefining the way we approach healthy living. They aim to empower individuals to embrace a vibrant lifestyle, even in the midst of busy schedules, with their functional food products. With a strong desire and commitment to pushing sustainability in Hong Kong, Food With Benefits become a member of Dream Impact
Let’s dive into the interview and get to know them!
DI: Dream Impact / FWB: Francis, Sales & Marketing Director
DI: Tell us about your journey as a changemaker. How did you get started? What inspired you?
My journey as a changemaker began with a passion for health and fitness. As a person who loves running and working out, I struggled to find truly healthy and values-aligned products. My interest in sustainability grew while hiking and cleaning up trails. At the same time, I was taking a marketing course back in university about leveraging the power of marketing to drive social impact, which really inspired me to create Food With Benefits with like-minded classmates.
We started by talking to supermarkets, wet markets and farms to understand the root causes of food waste. What we learned was eye-opening: perfectly good fruits and vegetables were being discarded simply because they didn’t meet aesthetic standards or because of oversupply. That’s when it clicked—we realized we could use food-tech innovation to tackle this issue head-on. Since then, we decided our mission to be making health accessible to everyone while reducing food waste, which is something at our core.
DI: What was the ONE figure that shocked you when doing your science-based research in sustainability? Why?
One figure that truly shocked us was learning that more than 20% of vegetables and fruits are wasted in China’s supply chain alone. That’s a massive amount of perfectly good produce going to waste—often before it even reaches retail shops or supermarkets, just because fruits and vegetables are vulnerable and get rotten easily.
But beyond the numbers, what really inspired me was Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia. He showed us that business and sustainability don’t have to be at odds—in fact, they can go hand in hand. His approach to consumer and brand activism was revolutionary. That’s exactly what we aim to do at Food With Benefits as well – use our brand to educate, inspire, and empower people to make choices that benefit their health and the planet.
More than 20% of vegetables and fruits are wasted in China’s supply chain alone. That’s a massive amount of perfectly good produce going to waste—often before it even reaches retail shops or supermarkets
DI: What’s the most rewarding aspect of your work?
Every time someone chooses Food With Benefits, they’re contributing to reducing food waste and supporting a more sustainable food system. That’s what keeps us motivated every day—knowing that we’re building a brand that’s good for people and the planet.
DI: What do you envision Food With Benefits to grow into?
Our goal is to expand our product line to include more diverse functional foods that cater to different needs—whether it’s high-protein options for fitness enthusiasts or nutrient-packed snacks for busy professionals.
But more than that, we want to grow our impact. We’re not just building a brand; we’re building a movement. We want to inspire more people to think about where their food comes from and how their choices can make a difference.
DI: What resources or support do you feel would help you take your business to the next level?
Partnerships and mentorship are key for us right now. We’re always looking to collaborate with like-minded organizations and individuals who share our vision for sustainability and wellness.
For example, we’re currently in discussions with The Mills Fabrica to explore ways we can work together on events or workshops that promote sustainability and wellness.
As a startup, we’re constantly learning and growing, and having guidance from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts would help us navigate challenges and scale our impact more effectively.
DI: What kind of collaboration opportunities are you looking for to expand your impact or reach?
With our upcoming high-protein smoothies, we’re excited to tap into the sports and fitness market. We’d love to partner with organizations that share our values—whether it’s sponsoring events like marathons or trail runs, or collaborating with social purpose-driven groups.
For example, we recently supported Resolve Foundation, a social enterprise that promotes inclusivity, by providing our smoothies to their athletes during the Standard Chartered Marathon in Hong Kong. It was a great way to connect with the sports community while promoting our mission. We’re always open to new opportunities to create impact and reach more people who care about health and sustainability.
With our upcoming high-protein smoothies, we’re excited to tap into the sports and fitness market. We’d love to partner with organizations that share our values—whether it’s sponsoring events like marathons or trail runs, or collaborating with social purpose-driven groups.
DI: How do you ensure sustainability and social impact are integrated into your business model?
From sourcing surplus fruits to extending fruits’ shelf life using our technology, every decision we make is guided by our mission to reduce food waste and promote well-being.
We also work with like-minded organizations to amplify our impact. For instance, we’ve partnered with Heat Project, a social enterprise that trains teenagers to work in our pop-up shops. It’s a win-win: we get to support youth development while they help us spread our mission.
Last but not least, we’re committed to measuring and sharing our impact. We believe transparency is key, and we want our customers to know exactly how their choices are making a difference.
DI: What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own social enterprise or impact-driven business?
Be tough, persistent, and always remember your “why.” Starting an impact-driven business is never easy—there will be challenges and setbacks along the way. But if you’re driven by a strong vision and a desire to give back to the community, you’ll find a way to overcome them.
One key piece of advice is to be creative, stay open to new ideas, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Connect with as many people as possible—whether it’s mentors, peers, or potential partners. The journey is so much richer when you’re surrounded by a community that shares your passion and values.
Be tough, persistent, and always remember your “why.”
DI: So far, how do you like the Dream Impact community? What’s your favourite part of the community?
Being part of the Dream Impact community has been an incredible experience. It’s inspiring to connect with so many like-minded individuals and organizations who are all working towards a common goal of creating positive change.
What I love most is the sense of collaboration and support. Whether it’s through events, workshops, or casual conversations, there’s always an opportunity to learn, share ideas, and grow. The community has been a source of inspiration and motivation for me, and I’m grateful to be part of such a vibrant and impactful network.
Find out more about Food With Benefit here: https://www.eat-fwb.com/
About Dream Impact
Dream Impact is Hong Kong’s leading network of social enterprises and impact ventures. We support changemakers from different sectors through transformative experiences and community building initiatives that lead to more sustainable business models.
We envision a world where nurturing relationships with ourselves, each other, and the environment will create a harmonious, sustainable future. Through our network membership, coworking spaces, and event venues, we foster a close-knit, supportive community of social entrepreneurs and changemakers. This allows our partners to collaborate, connect, and upskill together. Additionally, our flagship Transformative Retreat is designed to help purpose-driven professionals integrate sustainability into both their personal and professional lives, achieving greater alignment in their own journeys as well as within their organizations.
Interested in becoming our member? Sign up here and come visit with a free day pass.
