What if the food on your plate could help protect the Earth?
What if the food on your plate could help protect the Earth?
Every year on 18th June, the world observes Sustainable Gastronomy Day. This special day reminds us that food is not just about filling our stomachs. Food is connected to our health, our culture, the natural world, and the hardworking people who grow and prepare it. From the rice fields of Southeast Asia to the vegetable farms in Singapore's Lim Chu Kang, food tells a story about who we are and where we come from.
Sustainable gastronomy means making thoughtful choices about the food we eat. It encourages us to choose fresh and healthy food, avoid wasting food, respect local food traditions, and understand how our food is produced. In Singapore, where we import more than 90 percent of our food, being mindful about what we eat and how much we waste is especially important. The Singapore Food Agency has set a goal called 30 by 30, which aims to produce 30 percent of our nutritional needs locally by the year 2030. Supporting local farms and reducing food waste are small but powerful steps toward this goal.
Children can make a big difference through simple everyday habits. Finishing your meal at the school canteen, saving leftovers instead of throwing them away, choosing food with less plastic packaging, and being grateful for every meal are all meaningful actions. Food waste is a serious issue in Singapore. In 2023, Singapore generated around 755,000 tonnes of food waste. That is a huge amount of resources wasted, including water, land, and energy that went into growing that food.
When we respect food, we respect nature, farmers, families, and our future. Every grain of rice, every vegetable, and every fruit represents the effort of many people and the gifts of our planet. Small food choices made today, like eating wisely and wasting less, can create a healthier tomorrow for Singapore and for the whole world. Let us celebrate Sustainable Gastronomy Day by promising to be more thoughtful about what is on our plates!
