Edible Garden City laudably grows local greens, but their greater contribution lies in sowing the seeds of locavorism
Tucked away in Queenstown, Citizen Farm at Jalan Penjara is the sort of place you consciously go to, rather than stumble upon. Even then, be careful or your GPS might lead you to a row of houses instead (note to self: always enter by Margaret Drive). Once there, sounds of the city peel away. The 8,000 square metre plot of land, which used to be home to a prison many years ago, is now occupied by Edible Garden City (EGC)’s latest urban farm incubator project.
EGC sees driving a grow-your-own-food movement as its core mission. “If you grow your own food or at least participate in it, it makes you appreciate how something is grown and the work that the farmer has put into it; it helps you eat with awareness,” says Bjorn Low, founder of the urban farming social enterprise. Over the last five years, EGC has put its plough where its mouth is, building over 60 edible gardens at restaurants like Artichoke and Tippling Club, schools, office buildings and homes; designing farming curricula for schools; and organising a multitude of workshops. Three years ago, they began a partnership with Spa Esprit Group, expanding their reach among F&B and beauty establishments. To top it off, they are committed to employing adults with special needs.
Set up just seven months ago, Citizen Farm marks a milestone on EGC’s journey. Low, an advertising executive turned farmpreneur activist explains, “Now that we have secured this base on a nine-year lease, we can observe changes on this patch of land over time.” More importantly, he adds, Citizen Farm gives them a chance to prototype a sustainable model of urban farming that can be replicated in other parts of Singapore and overseas.
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