The Local Farm

It’s been a fantastic eight months of #FarmpackforGood.  Your generous support has provided more than 2000 beneficiaries with access to quality fresh food - carefully curated and sourced from our #localfarms at #fairtrade. Our efforts in distribution have been made possible because of your generous donations through https://lnkd.in/deCudFHF, a giving platform by our community partner, Ray of Hope. #FarmpackforGood has been distributed to communities in need with the support of our partners including Northwest Community Development Council, Sumitomo Corporation, The Salvation Army, and Gernise Global Pte Ltd. Corporate sponsors like ERA Realty Network Pte Ltd, Lih Ming Construction Pte Ltd, and Keppel Ltd. (Keppel Care Foundation) have also played a critical role in making these distributions a huge success. The first of its kind, #FarmpackforGood is an inclusive community initiative that promotes access to better quality food donation. By sourcing for #localfarmproduce at #fairtrade, it also supports our local farmers. So by supporting our Farmpacks, you’re not just giving our beneficiaries a nutritional head start. You’re also rallying behind our farmers and contributing towards our Singapore food security by regularising demand for #localfarmproduce.   Leading up to the final quarter of 2024, we’re looking to broaden our impact by bringing quality #localfarmproduce to even more Singaporean families in need of access to better nutrition. Because good nutrition paves the way for better health, there’s no more practical way to support our beneficiaries. Once again, we wish to convey our heartfelt thanks to all our corporate and community partners, donors as well as volunteers and staff of diverse organisations involved in the programme. Without you, #FarmpackforGood wouldn’t be such a huge success!  If you’re thinking about giving more impactfully during this upcoming season of giving, how about supporting #FarmpackforGood? As a #CompanyofGood, a recognition award by the NVPC - Towards a City of Good, Gardenasia (The Local Farm) continues to welcome new collaborations with corporate and community partners to expand the impact of this dual impact initiative. We also welcome you to choose a campaign that works for you: https://lnkd.in/deCudFHF!  So join us now to give better! For further queries, please contact us at thelocalfarm@gardenasia.com. #gardenasia #thelocalfarmsg #farmfresh #farmfreshproduce #farmtotable #farmpackforacause #farmpackforgood #sustainability #localfarms

23 years have passed since Gardenasia (The Local Farm) was first incorporated in 2001. Over the years, there have been ebbs and flows in the farming landscape in Singapore. We’ve said goodbye to many #localfarms. We’ve also welcomed new ones. At the same time, there has also been a growth in the number and range of farmers' markets that makes local farm produce more easily accessible, especially our signature event, The Local Farm Festival. With our national #30by30 #foodresilience plans led by our Singapore Food Agency, the spotlight is once again on our #localfarms. Many thanks to a+ Singapore for showcasing Gardenasia (The Local Farm) and our founder Kenny Eng, and the collective work by our farmers in contributing towards our Singapore food story. Here’s a spotlight on our story and the concerns we share with all local farmers alike: https://lnkd.in/gYxdy-X9 If you’re keen to partner with us for #sustainability causes and support our #localfarms, contact us at thelocalfarm@gardenasia.com. Alternatively, you can also choose to support any #FarmpackforGood campaigns at https://lnkd.in/deCudFHF, in partnership with a diverse range of community-focussed organisations including Ray of Hope, The Salvation Army, Gernise Global Pte Ltd and the Northwest Community Development Council. Join us in supporting #sustainability and our #localfarms today! . . . #gardenasia #thelocalfarmsg #farmfresh #farmfreshproduce #farmtotable #farmpackforacause #farmpackforgood #sustainability #localfarms

At Gardenasia (The Local Farm), we’ve always believed in the importance and value of fresh foods. That’s why we have been working tirelessly with our #localfarms to improve community access to local #farmfresh produce. Because #foodsecurity is for every Singaporean, our goal is to reach every community in need with our #FarmpackforGood - a curation of quality local farm-fresh produce, including fresh leafy vegetables, eggs, rice and mushrooms. Through this #communityinitiative, more than 2000 beneficiaries now have access to fresh food. And we’re glad we’re not alone in these efforts. Success stories like the Lions Befrienders' are another inspiring example: https://lnkd.in/gAxwjzvE. Since 2020, the charity’s relentless efforts in changing mindsets about food donations has resulted in a 30% reduction in the donation of unhealthy foods. Their outreach programmes demonstrate how important it is for community organisations to champion the right standards in food donation. This ensures that beneficiaries are getting the right kind of support. Our Health Promotion Board has also provided a useful set of guidelines under its "Healthier Food Donation Recommendations" to encourage more impactful giving: https://lnkd.in/gjNTbwHu. With #FarmpackforGood, we are also privileged to work with organisations like Northwest Community Development Council, Ray of Hope, Gernise Global Pte Ltd, and the The Salvation Army who share our beliefs in good nutrition and the value of #farmfresh produce for our beneficiaries. We have also been blessed with generous donations of like-minded companies such as: Keppel Ltd. (Keppel Care Foundation), Lih Ming Construction Pte Ltd, ERA Realty Network Pte Ltd, UNISAFE, JAG Engineering (S) Pte Ltd, Wah Soon Marine Pte Ltd, ASM Front-End Manufacturing, Singapore MMA and Acrylic. With every step we are taking to make more fresh foods available to our communities in need, we’re helping to enhance the health of our vulnerable and strengthen their defence from major health complications. In many cases, we are also giving them a better head start in life. But we cannot do this without the help of like-minded Singaporeans, companies and community organisations. If you’re keen to support #FarmpackforGood, visit https://lnkd.in/deCudFHF and choose the right campaign for you. Community organisations and corporate sponsors who are focussed on making a real impact on our communities can also connect with us at: thelocalfarm@gardenasia.com to find out more. Start making a difference with your giving today! . . . #gardenasia #thelocalfarmsg #farmfresh #farmfreshproduce #farmtotable #farmpackforacause #farmpackforgood #sustainability #localfarms

Congratulations to Mr Eliam Eng and Mr Andy Eng of the Nyee Phoe Team for retaining the gold award in the Landscape Garden category and Best Construction Award at this year's Best Landscape Design competition with their submission “Nature's Nest” at the #singaporegardenfestival2024, organised by our National Parks Board. Nature’s Nest celebrates the harmonious relationship between nature and humanity and incorporates both Asian heritage and Western sensibilities in its design. Every element of the garden is designed to inspire and encourage visitors to reflect on the resilient beauty of nature and the importance of a more #sustainablefuture.   As part of the Nyee Phoe Group, Gardenasia (The Local Farm) celebrates the award winning duo who have again exceeded themselves with this year’s submission. This prestigious award affirms the important role #horticulture continues to play in society and the quality of the nature-inspired offerings by the Nyee Phoe Group. It also mirrors our relentless journey of nation-building and our quest for gold at the ongoing #ParisOlympics2024 with #TeamSingapore, including Stephenie Chen (with the Singapore Canoe Federation) and Max Maeder, among many of our distinguished athletes. As we celebrate our 59th National Day and pursuit of #sportingexcellence, we’re reminded of what our founding #PrimeMinister Mr Lee Kuan Yew once said: “If you want to reach your goals and dreams, you cannot do it without discipline”. With their twin awards at the #singaporegardenfestival2024, the team of Eliam and Andy has demonstrated how we can all realise our vision for gold with sheer determination, hard work and a touch of disciplined creativity. Once again, our heartiest congratulations to them both for their achievement! For more information on Nature’s Nest: https://lnkd.in/g5q_nXKf To #TeamSingapore, all the best for your quest for gold! We're rooting for you. Here’s also wishing every Singaporean a Happy 59th National Day. Come enjoy a long weekend at our beautiful Kranji countryside, a delicious #farmtotable meal at our Bistro by Gardenasia (The Local Farm) and celebrate our pride in being a #Singaporean! . . . #gardenasia #thelocalfarmsg #farmfresh #farmfreshproduce #farmtotable #farmpackforacause #farmpackforgood #sustainability #localfarms #nationalday2024 #nationaldaysingapore

Our heartiest congratulations to the NVPC - Towards a City of Good for the successful conclusion of its Company of Good Conferment Ceremony 2024 and to all fellow recipients of the Company of Good award. The #CompanyofGood initiative recognises the contributions of organisations in Singapore for our commitment to national level #corporatepurpose and impact in five key areas, including People, Society, Governance, Environment and Economic. Gardenasia (The Local Farm) is honoured to have been recognised alongside notable companies like Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore (Part of The HEINEKEN Company) and UOB. The recognition affirms our effort in promoting #sustainability, providing communities with local farm-fresh food at #fairtrade and building meaningful connections between local farmers and our communities. Singapore's food future and success in fostering sustainability is after all our shared future, a national effort fronted by our Singapore Food Agency. As we had experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic, Singapore is vulnerable to food supply disruptions. To make up for our lack in natural resources, our local farmers have worked harder and more creatively to help bolster our food supply, with the generous support of our companies and Government. When our local farms do well, Singaporeans can immediately enjoy more options, as well as the confidence in a more secure food supply. When we produce more locally and rely less heavily on imports, we also benefit from having a more #sustainable way of living. Through our work, we have also helped build stronger connections across diverse communities and ensure a more #inclusive approach to food security for all segments of society. By donating towards our initiatives like #farmpackforgood, you have also played an important part in enhancing the health of our society. Gardenasia (The Local Farm) is heartened to have played such a privileged role in facilitating these efforts through our offerings. And 24 years on, we are glad to see Singaporeans becoming more conscious about sustainability and fervent in their support towards our communities, including our local farms. But we're not resting on our laurels. Gardenasia (The Local Farm) continues to adapt and innovate our offerings through The Local Farm brand so that more Singaporeans can enjoy quality farm fresh produce at fairtrade. At the same time, the increased support our farmers get will help them thrive and continue providing for Singaporeans. Once again, thanks to the NVPC for the conferment. In the words of our esteemed Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Heng Swee Keat, at the conferment event, let’s put our hands together in “building a caring, inclusive, and compassionate society and shaping a better, more sustainable and resilient future”. . . . #gardenasia #thelocalfarmsg #farmfresh #farmfreshproduce #farmtotable #farmpackforacause #farmpackforgood #sustainability #localfarms #COGConferment #COGConferment2024 #companyofgood

Electrifying to be part of the Mercedes-Benz Singapore Mission: Electric and to welcome participants of the event to our rustic Kranji countryside and Bistro by Gardenasia (The Local Farm): https://lnkd.in/gb8emBUm Recharging not just their EVs in this round-island gamified test-drive event, participants were also recharged by our delicious Farm-To-Table items including our assam fish chowder, beef hor fun and pan-seared red snapper fillet - all featuring local farm-fresh produce. From electric cars to local culinary delights, there are some simple steps we could all take for a more sustainable future: 1. Opt for vehicular and transport options that leave a lower carbon footprint; 2. Use technology to enhance our efforts in sustainability; and 3. Source locally and sustainably through our farms Once again, kudos to the Mercedes-Benz Singapore team for organising this sustainability initiative and for partnering with us as your venue of choice! For an authentic Farm-To-Table meal experience, visit our Bistro: https://lnkd.in/gvA-a8HV And if you’re keen to partner us for a sustainability initiative or event at our venue, contact us at: thelocalfarm@gardenasia.com. . . . #gardenasia #thelocalfarmsg #farmfresh #farmfreshproduce #farmtotable #farmpackforacause #farmpackforgood #sustainability #localfarms

Honoured to be on Tatler Asia in this feature on The Local Farm's efforts in building up a Farm-To-Table culture in Singapore: https://lnkd.in/gtG4xTnm To do so sustainably, we must find innovative ways to market our local farm produce, and make it accessible for everyday consumption. Only with a sustained demand for local farm produce, will there be a stronger commercial impetus for long term investments in infrastructure and technology to ramp up our production. Read this feature for more about The Local Farm and our approach to growing a truly sustainable and Singaporean Farm-To-Table ecosystem. Thanks again to Tatler Asia for this feature! . . . #gardenasia #thelocalfarmsg #farmfresh #farmfreshproduce #farmtotable #farmpackforacause #farmpackforgood #sustainability #localfarms

We are heartened to see more robust discussions about our national food resilience plans: https://lnkd.in/gdwnZFdK. Since our #30by30 plan was rolled out in 2019, many in the community like Prof. Veera Sekaran, a Professor in Practice at the National University of Singapore’s Department of Biological Sciences, have highlighted our lack of an agricultural ecosystem as a major constraint that will make or break our food resilience plans. Unlike more mature agriculture-based economies, Singapore lacks the experience, expertise and access to farming resources. To achieve our #30by30 aspirations, we will have to leapfrog many years before we can sustainably ramp up our local food production. With the closure of some farms and discontinuation of expansion plans by others, more needs to be done to build a stronger ecosystem, especially if we are committed to doing this sustainably beyond 2030. Over the years, The Local Farm has heeded the writing on the wall. That's why we have been working closely with our partners and farmers to increase the accessibility of and demand for our local farm produce. Through our award-winning Bistro by Gardenasia (The Local Farm), we provide Singaporeans with more delicious farm-to-table options. With fair trade, local sourcing has also provided our local farmers with certainty of demand and support to help them remain commercially sustainable. Because food resilience is for every Singaporean, The Local Farm has also been working closely with like-minded partners, including People's Association and Ray of Hope to deliver farm-fresh packages to our communities in need. Through our #farmpackforgood initiative, our beneficiaries are gifted with local farm produce including eggs, fresh leafy vegetables and rice to supplement their nutritional needs. Having supplied these packages to more than 2000 families to date, this initiative has also supported our local farmers by regularising demand for their produce. The Local Farm aims to widen the impact of #farmpackforgood to more communities in Singapore. And this can only be achieved if there are more corporate partners and individual Singaporeans onboard. With your donations and partnership, our farmers can feed more families, and more families can support our farmers - sustainably. Together with other forms of support, we should build enough demand for local farm produce over time. Keen to join us today to support our families and farmers? Donate to #farmpackforgood: https://lnkd.in/gAx4-mkx If you're a corporate partner looking to work with us on this dual impact initiative, contact us at thelocalfarm@gardenasia.com. . . . #gardenasia #thelocalfarmsg #farmfresh #farmfreshproduce #farmtotable #farmpackforacause #farmpackforgood #sustainability #localfarms

With just six more years to 2030, the need to build a more sustainable and thriving localised food supply chain is even more pressing than before. So, how far are we from achieving our #30by30 aspirations? How else can we move our food story forward?  Multiple challenges for local farming in urban cities are a reality for city-states like Singapore. They revolve around issues like insufficient demand for local produce, limited land and rising costs, and competition from cheaper imports. Together, they have an enormous impact on our agriculture ecosystem. Since the #30by30 plan was announced in 2019, we're also realising that infrastructure and high-yield farming technology is only part of the solution. Growing an awareness of and demand for local produce is just as important, if not more. Without a strong demand for our local farm produce at fair trade, supply will be severely constrained. The Local Farm has been working closely with partners to create greater visibility and access for our local farm produce. Through our Ready to Eat products using local farm produce, The Local Farm Festival as well as #farmpackforgood and Bistro by Gardenasia (The Local Farm), we continue to promote local farm produce and do our part to strengthen food security in Singapore. Once again, together with our founder, Kenny Eng, we echo our heartiest appreciation to Esther An and City Developments Limited Sustainability for the opportunity to share The Local Farm’s story at the #worldcitiessummit 2024. Such opportunities go a long way in affirming our efforts and create opportunities for more like-minded partners in supporting our local farms. If you’re keen to join us for our programmes and initiatives, contact us at: thelocalfarm@gardenasia.com. You can also donate to our #farmpackforgood at: https://lnkd.in/deCudFHF . . . #gardenasia #thelocalfarmsg #farmfresh #farmfreshproduce #farmtotable #farmpackforacause #farmpackforgood #sustainability #localfarms

The Local Farm was glad to have the opportunity to share our views with CNA on the issue of buying local farm produce. Hosted by Steven Chia and Crispina Robert, together with Professor William Chen (Director, NTU Food Science and Technology Programme) and founder of The Local Farm, Kenny Eng, the lively exchange of views centred on a few key issues. Firstly, we talked about the importance of having a more robust ecosystem, which requires far greater support for our local farms. We also discussed the practicality of the current timeline for our #30by30 aspirations, where 30% of our nutritional needs should be produced locally by 2030. With a national food security plan of this scale, is such a timeline tenable in practice?  Whether our current efforts in ramping up supply and production through high-tech farming alone is an effective strategy, the panel agrees that supply must eventually be met with a stronger demand for local produce. Farmers are after all entrepreneurs who should rightly expect their businesses to be commercially viable, beyond the initial funding support given primarily for high tech production and infrastructural expenditure. Farming is after all a long term investment. There is perhaps wisdom in heeding the principles behind growing food through traditional farming. One that we tend to overlook when we assume that technology can be the be-all and end-all. Like fire, technology is perhaps a better servant than it is a master. And like seeds and soil - sustainable, achievable results require time. For a fuller version of the conversation, tune in to: https://lnkd.in/ghQgwZkG and https://lnkd.in/g2DhN9WN. Be inspired to think about what you can do to support our local farms more. . . . #gardenasia #thelocalfarmsg #farmfresh #farmfreshproduce #farmtotable #farmpackforacause #farmpackforgood #sustainability #localfarms