Receive updates about our volunteering opportunities and latest happenings.
Published: 17 July 2025, Thursday
As we mark Singapore's 60th year of independence in less than a month, SG60 is a timely reminder of how unity, resilience, and care for one another have shaped our national identity. It is also a call to action, encouraging all of us to take ownership in shaping a future that is not only inclusive, but sustainable and strong.
At Food from the Heart, we are focused on building a stronger Singapore by alleviating food insecurity, ensuring that every one has an opportunity to access nutritious food. Food security is one of Singapore’s most critical priorities. As a land and resource scarce country, we rely on over 180 countries to import more than 90% of our food, making us especially vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions, climate-related shocks, and geopolitical tensions. In this context, strengthening food security is not just a strategic imperative, it is part of our collective resilience. Every effort, from policymaking to community initiatives, contributes to safeguarding our food supply and ensuring no one is left behind.
Strengthening food security in Singapore is not a task for one group alone, it calls for a united front. From industry players and government agencies to everyday consumers, each of us holds a stake in safeguarding the nation's continued fortitude amidst change.
For businesses in the food sector, agility is key.
When disruptions in supply arise, whether due to disease outbreaks, climate-related events, or logistical delays, swift adaptation can make all the difference. This is why many players in the industry work proactively to diversify their import sources, ensuring that food supplies remain stable even when primary channels are affected. At the same time, having robust Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) helps build flexibility into the supply chain. These plans enable companies to quickly pivot to alternative sources or products when needed, supporting consistent food availability across the country.
From the government's perspective, Singapore's food security strategy is rooted in diversification and innovation. With more than 90% of our food imported, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) works tirelessly to reduce over-reliance on any single source. This includes forging international partnerships and accrediting new import channels to ensure that our supply remains stable, regardless of global uncertainties. At the same time, efforts are underway to transform our local agri-food sector. SFA is working to build a future-ready food system that is both productive and climate-resilient. This includes supporting urban farming technologies, encouraging resource-efficient practices, and nurturing innovation across the supply chain.
Together, these measures help buffer Singapore against external disruptions while laying the groundwork for sustainable local production.
.jpg)
You as a consumer also play a pivotal role in strengthening food security in Singapore.
Every choice we make at the grocery store or over the dinner table contributes to the broader stability of our food system. By remaining flexible with our preferences, such as choosing frozen options when chilled items are limited, we help ease pressure on specific supply chains during disruptions. Education also shapes how we respond to these challenges. That’s why the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), SATS, and the Ministry of Education have teamed up to help young Singaporeans understand the importance of food security from an early age.
By cultivating awareness and resilience from the ground up, they’re shaping a generation that is informed, adaptable, and empowered to make responsible decisions. At Food from the Heart, we share this goal through our Clean Plate Campaign, which educates students on the importance of reducing food waste and builds habits of mindful eating. This ties directly into our broader mission of redistributing food to those in need. When less food is wasted, more can be shared with the less fortunate.
Beyond what we eat, how we care for others matters too. Donating to food charities like us or supporting community-based food drives allows individuals to contribute directly to food access for those in need. At Food from the Heart, we have continued to develop the way you can donate to us, striving to make the process as easy and convenient as possible. A simple way to donate is to join us at our National Day Food Donation Drive at our Community Shop @ Boon Lay. We're rallying the community on 17th August 2025 to raise 28,000 food items for those in need, and you can help us reach that goal. Find out how to contribute here!
Through these small yet impactful actions, it shows that food resilience is not just about securing our own needs but about ensuring that our community can thrive together, even in times of uncertainty.
Food security isn’t just about having enough to eat, it is about ensuring consistent, reliable and sustainable access to food, especially for those navigating uncertain circumstances. And at Food from the Heart, we work to close this gap through targeted programmes that reduce food waste and support those in need, reinforcing Singapore’s broader food security efforts.
One way we do this is through our Community Food Pack programme. The programme comprises of monthly food packs which contain essential non-perishable items and are supplemented with fresh produce like vegetables, fruits, eggs, and bread from our Bread Run programme. For families coping with high living costs, the distribution of these packs helps ensure there is always food on the table. The reliability of this support matters, especially for those trying to stretch every dollar while keeping their loved ones fed.
Beyond food provision, our Community Shop offers something equally vital: choice. Operating on a “shop-for-free” model, the Community Shop allows beneficiaries to pick up to 14 items a months based on what they need from a selection of groceries, and utilises a simple QR system. Through this, benefiaciaries have a dignity of choice, allowing them to select items they need while restoring a sense of normalcy.
Each of these programmes plays a specific role in enhancing food access while supporting a more efficient, compassionate food ecosystem. When you give to Food from the Heart—whether your time, effort, or donations—you are helping Singapore become more resilient and inclusive. Let us continue building a society where everyone has a fair chance at a full and nourished life.
