Rick Chee

Rick Chee is the founder of the Food Aid Foundation, an organisation dedicated to rescuing surplus food from various sources and distributing it to welfare homes, the underprivileged, and those in need. With a career that began as a clerk with the Employees Provident Fund in Kuala Lumpur in 1977, Rick later worked as a sales representative for two other companies.

Rick holds a Master’s degree in International Hospitality Management and actively contributes to the education sector as a member of the Industry Advisory Panel for Taylors University’s Faculty of Leisure, Social and Hospitality. He also serves as a senior adjunct lecturer at Taylors University. With 35 years of experience in food service facility planning, he is currently the managing director of F&B Facilities Sdn Bhd and holds director positions in Prominent Freight Forwarding Services Sdn. Bhd and AR Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.

As an advocate against food waste in Malaysia, Rick founded the Food Aid Foundation and has established branches and strategic partnerships in every state. He played a crucial role in passing the ‘Food Donation Protection Act’ in the 2019 November Parliamentary session, facilitating more food donations and the expansion of FoodBanks. He also assisted in setting up the Mutiara FoodBank in Penang in 2016 and contributed to the establishment of Yayasan Food Bank Malaysia in 2018.

Rick is a dedicated member of various organisations, including the Chefs Association of Malaysia (as an honorary member and former advisor for 15 years), Kiwanis Kota Damansara, and Rotary Club KL Metro (as an honorary member). Currently, he is involved in a new social enterprise called Heartisan Sdn Bhd, which empowers underprivileged communities with teachable art skills and produces products for sale to support NGO missions.

Making an impact comprises any action or contribution that bears positive results or influences. It can benefit both the giver or the receiver.