World Food Day falls on 16 October every year, commemorating the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This year, the FAO seeks to highlight the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global agri-food systems, the loss of livelihoods, increased food insecurity and inequality, and the need to transform agri-food systems. This is in line with this year’s theme: Our actions are our future. Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life.

In Singapore, much is being done to strengthen the nation’s food security. Driven by three pillars – diversify import sources, grow local, and grow overseas – the Government and industry alike are working hard together to secure a supply of safe food not only for today, but for the future.

These efforts have reaped fruit thus far. In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, global food supply chains experienced shocks and disruptions, and Singapore, being heavily reliant on imports for its food supply, was not spared. Our diversification of food import sources by over 170 countries and regions helped us buffer the effects of supply shocks, preventing any major disruption to the food supply in Singapore.

As individuals, we too, can do our part to ensure enough food for the generations after us. Here’s a look at some of the ways you can play a part.

1. Support our local farmers

Singapore is a land-scarce country, and in order to maximise space and grow more with less, technology and innovation become the crucial enablers to help us transform the agri-food sector into a productive, sustainable and climate-resilient one. Yet, the costs to adopt high- tech farming systems and conduct research and development (R&D) can be high, and assurance in the form of strong consumer demand is needed to support our farmers.

Click here to find out where you can get your hands on locally farmed produce. You can also look out for this logo the next time you take a walk through the supermarket. The SG Fresh Produce logo indicates that the produce has been grown in Singapore by one of our local farmers, which also goes to say that this is as fresh a fruit or vegetable as you can get here!

2. Contribute your food waste to a Black Soldier Fly (BSF) facility

This is for those who are living in Tampines: If you have too much food that can no longer be consumed safely, don’t dump them. Take them out to Sustainability @ Tampines Park, a BSF facility, where composts are turned into natural fertilisers for vegetables. The vegetables from Singapore’s first community-based circular ecosystem are then distributed or sold to the community, making for sustainable food production. Talk about food waste begetting fresh food! 

3. Explore a career in agri-food

With technology and R&D holding the keys to productive and sustainable food production, we are transforming Singapore into a living technological laboratory for urban food production.

The agri-food industry is growing rapidly, with new jobs and exciting career opportunities in areas ranging from agriculture and aquaculture sciences, engineering, and info-comm technology. If you’re looking to do more in our food journey, consider checking out a meaningful career in our agri-food industry. Visit Manpower & Employment for more details.

4. Share your ideas with SFA

Participants presenting their ideas to increase demand for local produce at a
Citizen’s Workgroup session

Brimming with ideas on how Singapore can take its food journey further forward? We want to hear from you! To date, nearly 700 participants have joined us in our journey, be it to co- create solutions to increase the demand for local produce, or to identify and discuss ideas to redevelop Lim Chu Kang into Singapore’s flagship agri-food production hub of the future. More engagement sessions will be held in the future; in the meantime, share your ideas for the Lim Chu Kang Master Plan here today.