Behind a cluster of towering HDB flats is the last place you'd expect to find a farm.
But that's precisely where Edible Garden City (ECG) is found.
The urban farm, a rarity in Singapore's concrete jungle, is a project 10 years in the making. And this was way before we figured out during the pandemic that Singapore's food supply systems are highly vulnerable.
Bjorn Low, ECG's head honcho, is at the forefront of Singapore's sustainable food movement.
Bjorn has helped to build up to 280 gardens in Singapore, both big and small.
Some are for people’s homes; others are on top of rooftop hotels. It’s been quite the journey for this nomadic gardener, who is doing his part to meet the Singapore Food Agency’s 2019 goal of producing 30% of the city’s nutritional needs by 2030.
But why exactly should travellers care about urban farming, though? After all, don't people come to Singapore for Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands?
Why would they want to check out a farm?
According to Bjorn, it's about experiencing the country through another lens and learning to grow different things that aren't readily available back home.
"Why should they check out urban farms? Because it's just different as a tourist or visitor. The local environment is very different whether you come from Southeast Asia or a temperate climate. The plants that are grown, what may be seen as food to us, may not be seen as food to them. So there’s always discovery and learning.”
"In spaces like urban farms, we work with many native vegetables and try to reintroduce that. So a lot of people are like, can you eat this? It's always a sense of discovery when you come to an urban farm. Taking back certain tips and tricks for planting back home is what we can offer."
Chilling out with an urban farmer at an insect farm
We're hanging out at Insectta, conveniently located next to Edible Garden City, the first black soldier fly farm in Singapore. It's a place where teeny tiny insects devour agricultural and household food waste, one of the many eco-friendly initiatives of the city.
It is close to Bjorn's heart, in terms of actual proximity to his farm and as a unique way of experiencing a different side of the country.
"You want to see an alternative side of Singapore, not just the specific sites and attractions. And tourists are more aware of sustainable tourism. They are more aware. So, coming here and doing programs with us is a way of participating in this whole food movement that is happening globally."
"When I travel as well, I will go and visit urban farms. This is my thing because it's my interest. So I'll connect with urban farmers there. I will understand your model and share it with them. So more and more travellers are aware of food sustainability.
Best eco-friendly activities in Singapore
Being an urban farmer, Bjorn is well-versed in letting go and connecting with nature. Young school children regularly frequent his farm, where they learn about sustainability and growing plants.
And the farm is an oasis of peace and tranquillity, especially compared to the hustle and bustle of crowded, chaotic Singapore.
It's one thing, however, to get in touch with nature. It's another thing to do so while learning about the culture. And Bjorn is a sucker for a story with a good heritage.
"One person I recommend is Wan's Ubin Journal. He's a young person, and his ancestry is from Pulau Ubin, so they are called the Orang Pulau. And they have been living on the island for generations."
"He leads tours into Pulau Ubin and tells the stories of the memories of his grandmother of the various places on the island. It's so deep that I don't think I've heard anything similar because he has so much context. Although he is pretty young, storytelling was tremendous in indigenous communities in the past.
"So travellers should look up Wan's Ubin Journal or experience dining with the Orang Laut SG. For the latter, it's to experience the stories of the food, of them being seafaring people foragers, and to learn a part of the history of Singapore that is very much untold."
"They're beautiful stories, and you can immerse yourself in the culture and learn about the original people from the land."
Here are other cool ways you can get eco-friendly on your next vacay in Singapore:
Spot tiny marine life on Singapore's shores
Believe it or not, hidden beneath Singapore's urban exterior is a treasure trove of wildlife waiting to be discovered. This is nowhere more apparent than the teeming marine critters straddling the shore at low tide. Spot tiny hermit crabs, watch how a sea cucumber breathes, and find sea stars on an intertidal walk.
Check out a black soldier fly farm
Most insects get a bad rep. Perhaps except for butterflies and cockroaches. And ants are definitely right up there in pest territory. But a visit to this farm will show you that ants aren't all that bad. Take a trip down to Insectta, Singapore's first black soldier fly farm, and you'll see why these cute bugs solve household food waste by eating it.
Weave a MusicCloth from old cassettes
Way before Spotify dominated the music industry, we had cassette tapes. As nostalgic as they are, people don't have a use for them these days. That's where Rehyphen comes in, an up-cycling initiative where pre-loved cassette tapes get re-purposed and weaved into pretty pieces of art called MusicCloths. Try out a class today! It'll be the perfect souvenir to take home.
Learn to cook with a DIY mushroom grow kit
If you're all about sustainable eating, one of the best ways to put on your eco-friendly hat is to join a cooking workshop. At this workshop, channel your inner Gordon Ramsay and bring home a DIY mushroom-growing kit from a local farm. Sustainability never looked so delicious before.
Visit a hidden rooftop bee farm
For an authentic, hidden gem experience, make a beeline to a secluded rooftop bee farm in the middle of Siglap for an urban farming masterclass. Learn the secrets of creating great soil. And don a bee suit to brave your fears by hanging out with bees. You can even enjoy a honey-tasting session right after, with delicious farm-to-bar cocktails.
Learn all about worms at Werms.Inc
Worms aren't the first thing that comes to mind when you think about saving the earth. But truth be told, these little eco-warriors are vital for sustainability. Head down to Werms.Inc, an insect and earthworm farm where you can learn about Singapore's food waste situation and try to build your very own vermicomposting kit.