A call to preserve our "very own" local food culture

Singapore’s food culture is slowly diminishing due to the western influences and also the lack of knowledge from the younger generation for traditional food in Singapore. As the different races’ cuisines make Singapore a unique and fascinating country, it is thus vital to preserve our local food culture.

Preserving local food culture is important as it meant passing knowledge from one generation to another, our lifestyles, norms, beliefs, food preference and knowledge of food is also passed on. In other words, it serves as a reminder to the younger generation of their roots and culture of their race.

Different variety of local food in Singapore

In addition, local food is fresher and healthier as they do not contain preservatives and additives which is harmful to our human health. The food that we purchase at our local farmer's market is often picked within 24 hours of our purchase. This freshness will also make our food taste better as well as higher nutritional value. 

Locally grown vegetables in Singapore

Last but not least, by consuming more local food will also mean a better economy for our country. According to a study by the New Economics Foundation in London, a dollar spent locally generates twice as much income for the local economy. When businesses are not owned locally, money leaves the community at every transaction. 

Better economy

Appreciating our local food culture may seem easy, but in fact it takes a lot of effort to do so. In order to make teenagers appreciate our local food culture, we must start cultivating them from young. 

First of all, Ministry of Education can organise an event or food fair where students of every school will have to visit. In this particular event or food fair, there will be many different types of local food sold by the difference races & religion. As a result, students will be exposed to it and even get to taste them. 

An example of a local food fair held in Singapore

Secondly, since most of the teenagers are tech-savvy and spend most of their time on the internet and social media, the government can make use of this platform to promote the different types of local food. In addition, traditional food restaurants can set up phone applications that can be commonly downloaded from the app stores in our smart phones. As a result, this can help to raise awareness on the existence of local traditional food. 

Evernote Food, a phone app that can be used to search for local food

Thirdly, Health Promotion Board can launch more campaigns or create more advertisements on the nutritional value of the locally grown food we have here in Singapore. As a result, teenagers will be more inclined to eat more local food due to its various nutritional benefits that is better for health.

Healthier choice symbol launched by Health Promotion Board (HPB)

Last but not least, parents play a big part as well. Parents should educate and expose their children to the local food instead of giving in to what they like to eat. This will ensure that children are aware of the existence of local food at a young age. 

There is a wide variety of local food that we have here in Singapore, start appreciating them today!!!

Reasons why teenagers choose fast food

It is no doubt that teenagers in the 21st century love fast food. But what are the reasons behind it?

Let us find out in my blog post today!

The first main important reason would be affordability. Teenagers usually would want to get something appetizing to eat as well as save some money for themselves. Most of the fast food restaurants now, as compared to stores selling local food, offer packaged value meals which tends to be more affordable for teenagers.

An example of a packaged value meal offered by 4 Fingers

The second reason is their abundant variety of food. Teenagers can mix and match with plenty of choices when dining at a fast food restaurant. In other words, they will never get bored of eating fast food. Some examples include Chicken Nuggets, Chicken Burger, Fish Burger, etc. 

The different variety of fast food offered by McDonald's

The third reason is that fast food tastes good. Most of the fast food nowadays are added with Monosodium glutamate (MSG) which makes it taste better. As a result, teenagers are more inclined to consume fast food due to the better taste. 

According to a survey I conducted on SurveyMonkey, receiving 15 responses from teenagers aged between 17 to 20 years old. 33% (5 out of 15) choose "Tastes Good" as the most important factor that they look out for when they purchase fast food, given the 5 different factors. 

Responses from Survey Monkey to find out the reasons why teenagers in Singapore prefer fast food

The fourth reason is the opening hours of fast food restaurants. Unlike other restaurants & hawker centres, fast food restaurants normally opens till late nights in which it is more convenient for teenagers to buy food when they are famished. On top of that, fast food restaurants also tend to be more comfortable and safer to hang out during late  nights as it is supervised by the staff in the particular restaurant. 

McDonald's 24/7 opening hours

In addition, some of the fast food restaurants tend to have a more conducive environment as it has installed air-conditioning as well as relaxing music. As a result, teenagers may be more inclined to chill and chat with their friends, as well as to study there. 

Conducive environment of Wendy's in Singapore

The last and most important reason is the exposure to fast food since young. Parents nowadays have started letting their children consume fast food from a very young age. This then carries on into their teenager and adult lives and in other words, becomes a habit.  By allowing their children to eat fast foods from such a tender age it also sort of gives their children the impression that eating fast food all the time is “normal”. But in fact, it is not. 

Child consuming fast food