The film by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment aims to garner support for local produce.

With a surprise for mother in mind, three sisters sneakily trail their mother at a supermarket to investigate her shopping list items. The plan? To use that as a checklist and recreate her famous recipes. Rounding up spy glasses, disguises and a well-laid plan (or so they think), their desperate mission is met with more than a few hiccups along the way.

Will they succeed?

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Safe management measures were observed in the filming of this video. Video: MSE

MISSION MAK

Helmed by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE), Trace Mak Together is a collaboration between its digital and visual communications team and production house OHBOY! Pictures.

The comedic romp follows the antics of sisters Jamaliah, Sabrina and Hafizah in a supermarket as they tail their mother and discover her shopping habits. Replete with moments of slapstick and some cheeky writing, the short video reveals that dear makcik likes to shop local.

As the trio jots down the items – kang kong, eggs and oyster mushrooms to name a few – the bright red SG Fresh Produce logo makes a running appearance. It’s an eye-catching way to identify produce grown in Singapore, as a way for the public to support local farmers and obtain fresher ingredients in return. 

Acting as the wise mother, veteran actress Zaliha Abdul Hamid finds herself agreeing wholeheartedly with her character. She shared: “I want the best produce so that a healthy, comfortable and fresh world can be given to our grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”

The film by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment aims to garner support for local produce.

With a surprise for mother in mind, three sisters sneakily trail their mother at a supermarket to investigate her shopping list items. The plan? To use that as a checklist and recreate her famous recipes. Rounding up spy glasses, disguises and a well-laid plan (or so they think), their desperate mission is met with more than a few hiccups along the way.

Will they succeed?

-->

Safe management measures were observed in the filming of this video. Video: MSE

MISSION MAK

Helmed by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE), Trace Mak Together is a collaboration between its digital and visual communications team and production house OHBOY! Pictures.

The comedic romp follows the antics of sisters Jamaliah, Sabrina and Hafizah in a supermarket as they tail their mother and discover her shopping habits. Replete with moments of slapstick and some cheeky writing, the short video reveals that dear makcik likes to shop local.

As the trio jots down the items – kang kong, eggs and oyster mushrooms to name a few – the bright red SG Fresh Produce logo makes a running appearance. It’s an eye-catching way to identify produce grown in Singapore, as a way for the public to support local farmers and obtain fresher ingredients in return. 

Acting as the wise mother, veteran actress Zaliha Abdul Hamid finds herself agreeing wholeheartedly with her character. She shared: “I want the best produce so that a healthy, comfortable and fresh world can be given to our grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”

A GROWING CULTURE

The combination of climate change awareness, supply disruptions during the circuit breaker period and extended time at home has highlighted the importance and joy of eating home-grown produce.

Currently, only 2 sq km – or about 1 per cent of Singapore’s mass – is being used for land farms, while another 1 sq km of sea space has been allotted for food fish farming. But through a focus on innovation, companies like Apollo Aquaculture Group and N&N Agriculture have used technology to reap astounding results. Apollo Aquaculture Group’s recirculating system, for example, can produce up to 150kg of grouper per tonne of water, as compared to sea cage farming, which produces 25kg to 75kg.

With the help of public agencies like NParks that encourage the growing of edibles at home, and visionary start-ups like Edible Garden City that have popularised urban farming, interest in growing food  has also been on the rise as more appreciate the act of cultivation.

There are benefits of buying from local farmers: Fresher ingredients for one, lower carbon footprint another. Supporting Singaporean farmers also accelerates the changes needed to achieve food security for the country and reinforce the Resilient Future pillar of the Singapore Green Plan.

“Locally-grown food such as vegetables is the way to go in case another pandemic strikes. In time to come, we will not need to worry about food items being out of stock as we don’t need to depend on overseas imports as much,” said Ms Nadiah Mohammad, who plays Sabrina. 

Recognising that it takes a city to grow a farm, the actress added: “Having locally grown food also helps us develop a sense of belonging!”

WELL WORTH THE BENEFITS

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has a “30 by 30” goal: To meet 30 per cent of Singapore’s nutritional needs with local produce by 2030, thereby strengthening our food security.

Consumers can support local farmers by buying local produce. The long-term benefits align with the bigger picture for a more sustainable Singapore, as the nation moves forward with the Singapore Green Plan.

With less than 10 per cent being currently supplied by local farmers (roughly 28 per cent of Singapore’s hen eggs, 13 per cent of leafy vegetables and 8 per cent of fish), buying produce marked by the bright red SG Fresh Produce logo is a powerful message to local growers, and seeds a culture of self-sustenance that, like the video, will have everyone smiling at the end of the day.

Learn more about the Singapore Green Plan 2030.