Other than its Instagram-able tourist destinations, Southeast Asia is well known for its variety of food. From the mouth-watering delicacies on the streets of Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia – just to name a few – to the Michelin starred restaurants in Singapore that serve fine dining quality cuisine with a dash of authentic local flavours.However, there is pressure on our food system to produce 70 percent more food to feed a population of 10 billion people globally by 2050.

Food has an environmental impact. A 2018 study by J. Poore and T. Nemecek titled ‘Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers,’ published by the University of Oxford revealed that food production is responsible for 26 percent of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, contributing to global warming.

Nutrition is central to the growth, cognitive development, school performance and future productivity of children.However, traditional and indigenous foods are slowly being cast aside in favour of modern diets that are low in nutrients and fibre but high in sugars and fats.Combined with busy lifestyles and budgetary concerns, malnutrition is taking a toll on a sizable portion of ASEAN children.A report yesterday by UNICEF, the United Nations’ children’s agency, warns that millions of

Food is synonymous with Southeast Asia. From the mouth-watering delicacies on the streets of Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and the Philippines – just to name a few – to the Michelin starred restaurants that serve fine dining quality cuisine with a dash of authentic local flavours.Yet, there is pressure on our food system to produce 70 percent more food to feed a population of 10 billion people globally by 2050.