Local uni Telegram groups for free food

We’ve probably all passed by a buffet spread at some event and thought that it would be a waste if no one finishes it. These unfinished trays of food are basically a missed opportunity, especially with all the recent price hikes eating up much of our savings.

If you’re a broke student constantly on the lookout for tips to save money, and ways to get free groceries and food, you’ll be glad to hear that these local uni Telegram groups alert you to excess buffet food and snacks to help you stretch your budget.

What are these free food Telegram groups about?

Image credit: @pvraghavi via Telegram

There are always leftovers at catered buffets because organisers tend to order more food than needed so that no one goes hungry. Unfortunately, this also means that plenty of untouched food gets discarded after every buffet. And at university campuses where buffets are a common sight at most events, the food wasted is no small amount.

Screenshot from: Telegram

Many local universities have their own student-initiated Telegram groups to tackle the food waste problem and let hungry students get free leftover food – killing two birds with one stone.

Image credit: @Faaaaaaiiiiiii via Telegram

Here’s how it works:

• After the original crowd has had their fill, buffet organisers will snap a picture of whatever’s left and share it in the group.
• Students looking for a free meal can check the group for unfinished buffets nearby and head over to help clear the food.

Note that these groups are intended for students and staff from the respective schools, not for the general public. So, to join these private groups, you’ll need either the group invite link or to be added by someone who is already in it.

1. NTU Free Food

Started by first-year uni students in 2017

Screenshot from: Telegram

NTU Free Food was started by 2 first-year NTU students from Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI) in 2017, when they saw buffet leftovers being dumped in the trash while leaving a lecture. The channel quickly gained popularity, and as of writing, there are more than 23,000 subscribers.

To share extra food, students can drop a message to the admins of the group, including key info like a photo, the location, and what time the food will be cleared. The admins will then help to relay the message in the group.

Contributors are encouraged to check with the organisers of the buffet before sharing anything in the group. This is to avoid the hungry hordes from clearing out all the food before the intended guests have eaten their share.

Image adapted from: Telegram

Other than leftover buffet, extra snacks and drinks from events and exam welfare packs are sometimes up for grabs as well.

Subscribe to @freefoodntu.

2. NUS Buffet Response Team

Requires admin’s approval to join the group

Screenshot from: Telegram

The NUS Buffet Response Team started as a Facebook page in October 2015. It then expanded into a Telegram community in February 2017, and now has more than 21,000 members.

They also have a separate group for the Bukit Timah Campus.

Image adapted from: Telegram

You will need to be approved by the admin to join the group – they have strict guidelines about what can be posted, and users found violating the guidelines will be banned from the group.

Take note that the food posted is assumed to be Halal by default, and the buffet organisers have the responsibility to indicate if it isn’t.

Image credit: @kangzhe via Telegram

If catered buffets and bento boxes are not your thing, the students often share other food like pizzas, BBTs, and McDonald’s too.

3. SMU Buffet Clearers

Started by project groupmates

SMU Buffet Clearers started as a joke by project groupmates after they were invited to help finish leftover buffet food. Over 1,600 people joined the group just 3 weeks after it was created. Now, it has expanded even further with more than 8,000 members.

Screenshot from: Telegram

Back when it first started, it was a bit chaotic, with spam like surveys and stickers flooding the chat. After the initial hubbub, some guidelines were created to keep things in check, so you can join the group now without worrying about getting spammed.

Screenshot from: Telegram

Contributors post leftover buffet and bento listings, as well as extra food bought by individuals.

Just like the other university Telegram groups, this group is exclusive to SMU students and staff. You’ll need to be added to the group by someone who is already in it.

4. SMU New Buffet Clearers

Party food, delivery orders & groceries

Screenshot from: Telegram

There’s another group for SMU students: SMU New Buffet Clearers was created in August 2023 and has fewer restrictions, allowing members to react with emojis and respond to free food posts. The new group has over 7,000 members as of writing.

Screenshot from: Telegram

And because it’s more casual, anyone can send messages in this group – that means you’ll see more spam, but also more free food.

Image adapted from: Telegram

On top of the usual buffet and bento from events, students also share their own party food, wrong orders, and even their groceries.

SMU students can choose to join either group because the same buffets and bentos are usually posted in both. Just ask a friend to add you in or send you an invite link.

5. SUSS & SIM Free Buffet

Get updates from both schools in 1 group

Screenshot from: Telegram

With only around 1,500 members as of writing, the SUSS & SIM Free Buffet group is not as well-known as the rest, which also means less competition when it comes to scoring free food. As the 2 schools share a campus, you’ll get updates from across SUSS and SIM in one place, from buffets to bentos and the occasional free food booth or event.

The group was started in 2023 and is still active. Don’t be fooled by the sparse number of messages in the group because they’re automatically deleted 3 months after they are sent.

Join @susssimbuffet.

6. SUTD Family

SUTD’s main school chat

Screenshot from: Telegram

Here’s something interesting: SUTD Family isn’t a group dedicated to clearing excess buffet food; it’s actually the school’s main chat.

Image adapted from: Telegram

However, you’ll still be able to find free food here. Students will sometimes post about leftover buffet food in the General tab, often with the tag “DSBJ”, which stands for “Don’t Say Bo Jio”.

Seniors will usually share the link to join the group when you matriculate.

Help reduce food waste with these local uni free food Telegram groups

If you’re in university now and are hoping to save some money on food or trying to do your part for the Earth, try asking some schoolmates who are already in these existing groups to add you in.

And don’t feel FOMO if your school doesn’t have one – maybe this article can inspire you to create one for your school.

Find more money-saving hacks:

• Lesser-known grocery shopping hacks
• Money-saving tips for group travel
• Saving habits of working adults in their 20s

Cover image adapted from: Telegram