Come to the

The Local Farm Festival 2023

Gillman Barracks (Blk 43 & 47)
14th – 16th April 2023 
14th April : 12pm – 5pm
15-16th April : 10am – 5pm
(FREE ENTRY)

Foreword by Kenny Eng, Festival Director

First of all, thank you for believing in The Local Farm and for supporting our local farmers all these years. By continuing to buy local, you affirm our efforts in bringing quality, farm-fresh produce to Singaporeans and in playing our part in the Singapore food story.

The Covid-19 pandemic years have shown us how vulnerable we are to disruptions in food supply. At the same time, it has helped us appreciate the critical role farmers play in local food production.

With the easing of Covid-19 measures, 2022 was a better year for us and the local farm community. And like you, we were delighted to be at The Local Farm Weekend markets again. But we’re not resting on our laurels.
As Singapore moves forward with our ’30 by 30′ national food plan, we’re challenging ourselves to reimagine how The Local Farm can play a more impactful role in supporting our local farmers.

So starting this year, we hope to bring you a more impactful market experience and engagement with our farmers. The Local Farm Festival will include a wider range of local farm-fresh and artisanal products as well as exciting programmes and community initiatives you can get involved in.

With this new, exciting format, I hope The Local Farm Festival will spark a renewed appreciation for our local farms and pave the way to a more sustainable and stronger food future.

Finally, I wish to thank the local farming community for journeying with us. Thank you for inspiring us with your firm belief in the value of local farm-fresh produce and your commitment towards our Singapore food story.

I look forward to seeing all of you at the Festival!

Story of The Local Farm Festival

The Local Farm first started with Mr Kenny Eng’s involvement as a member of the founding team for the Kranji Countryside Association in 2005. Inspired by his engagements with the local farming community and his personal journey as a fourth-generation farmer, he envisioned a community connected by one simple belief: No Farmers, No Food.

By the time The Local Farm brand was launched in 2019, we were already connecting local farmers with consumers through our programmes, a range of ready-to-eat products, and regular weekend markets.

Traditionally held in the rustic Kranji countryside, The Local Farm Weekend Markets have provided the community regular opportunities to engage directly with our farmers and enjoy a wide range of quality farm-fresh produce, including eggs, leafy vegetables, fish, shrimps, and mushrooms.

To celebrate The Local Farm’s shared journey and connect with a wider community, we’re launching our inaugural The Local Farm Festival for the year at the Gillman Barracks from 14-16 April.

Built on the theme of Food Future, the inaugural run of The Local Farm Festival will be organised into three key pillars of Eat, Work and Play, featuring more than 40 local farmers, artisans, craftsmen, food-tech experts and social enterprises.

Festival participants can enjoy three full days of quality farm-fresh food and a wide range of artisanal products, as well as exciting programmes and inspiring engagements with our local farmers. There are also opportunities for getting involved in meaningful community initiatives such as our FarmPacks for a Cause.

With more exciting things to do and more local farm-fresh produce to enjoy, this is THE farmers’ market for everyone! But don’t just take home bags of our local farm-fresh produce. At The Local Farm Festival this year, learn something, be inspired, and bless someone in need too!

 

What to do at the festival

EAT

From leafy arugula and locally-cultivated mushrooms to farm-fresh fish (& chips) and refreshing gelatos made with quality local produce, The Local Farm Festival offers everyone a tantalising array of farm-to-table options to whet our appetites and satisfy our cravings.

Come and explore the Festival, discover more farm-fresh flavours and enjoy new and exciting culinary possibilities

Spend the day with family and friends over quality food and handcrafted beverages, while taking in the cool festival vibes and live music right in the idyllic surrounds of the historical and nostalgic Gillman Barracks.

Engage with our local farmers and be inspired by their stories and our history in farming. Be challenged to think about how we can also play a part in supporting our farmers to build a more sustainable food future.

With so much to see, hear and taste, The Local Farm Festival will be the perfect farm-fresh experience for family and friends!

Food for thought:

WORK

The Local Farm Festival will feature an inspiring series of workshops, panel discussions and talks on a wide range of topics. From sustainable farming to skills in composting, connect with our local farmers and festival partners and learn something practical that you can implement in your community, home and workplace!

With partners like Innovate360 and Feed9Billion, the Festival will also feature a Shark Tank programme – “Feed9B Sustainable Feed Camp” for participants to co-create and pitch innovative solutions and ideas on how we can strengthen our food future, promote sustainability, and reduce our carbon footprint.

Participate also in community initiatives such as FarmPack for a Cause, where donations will go towards providing beneficiaries with quality farm-fresh food – sustainably and at fair trade to our local farmers.

With so much to learn and give, The Local Farm Festival will be an inspiring experience for both the young and young at heart.

Food for thought:

PLAY

Together with partners like the Kranji Countryside Association and Singapore Food Agency, the Festival will feature fun, exciting, and interactive activities to inspire an appreciation for learning and new ideas!

Start new hobbies or deepen our knowledge in growing edibles and gardens for a greener environment in our communities, homes and workplaces. And become a great chef in our own homes by acquiring useful techniques and innovative ideas on how to prepare delicious meals with our farm-fresh produce.

Kids can enjoy petting farm animals in our animal corner and learn how they feature in our Singapore food story. The Festival will also provide opportunities for children to interact with our mascots Titoy and Morchoo, and learn how to make their own terrariums and environmentally-friendly crafts.

With so many fun and engaging activities for both young and old, The Local Farm Festival will be an exciting hands-on experience for all!

Food for thought:

Directions for getting to the Festival:

 
Take the Circle Line MRT and alight at the Labrador Park station (CC27). From there, take a 15-20 minute walk to Gillman Barracks.


Take any of the following buses that go to Alexandra Road – 51, 61, 93, 97, 100, 120, 166, 175, 408. Alight at the bus stop in front of the Alexandra Retail Centre (ARC) and take a 5-minute walk to Gillman Barracks.


Set your destination to 9 Lock Road, Singapore 108937. Gillman Barracks is located near the junction of Alexandra Road and Depot Road. There are parking lots available at Gillman Barracks.

Excited about our first The Local Farm Festival and keen to sign up as a partner?
If you’re a local farmer, food-tech company, artisan, crafter, social enterprise or programme provider with products or services that are relevant to the theme of Food Future and are keen to join as a partner, register your interest here:

If you’re a corporate sponsor or individual donor and are keen to support The Local Farm Festival or FarmPacks for a Cause financially or in kind, let us know at thelocalfarm@gardenasia.com.