Eat Smart - Sustainable means local

Discovery Bay is the place to be if you’re into eating local. Raphael Blet meets three residents who are at the heart of it all.

PHOTOS BY

Richard Gordon -

www.richardgordonphotography.com

& Raphael Blet

Getting hold of local produce in Hong Kong is easier than you think, even more so when living here in Discovery Bay. From eco-conscious residents looking to spread the word about sustainable living to fully-fledged organic stores and farms, the resort and its immediate surroundings set the tone for eating right. And you don’t have to take our word for it, Dana Winograd of Plastic Free Seas agrees. “DB stores from Fusion and Wellcome to il Bel Paese have evolved to supply the growing demand for local produce,” she says. “Star Mart stocks some unusual items as well as everyday staples, and then of course there’s Slowood DB and Garden Artemis.”

THE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE

In recent years, residents have become increasingly aware of the need to eat local produce in order to reduce their carbon footprint and, of course, support local providers. One of them is 12-year resident Crystal Lee, for whom wellness and sustainability have become a constant source of inspiration, not to say a philosophy. At the helm of

Kapuhala Space

in DB North Plaza – DB’s first social training community – Crystal aims to offer members more than a fitness room, and to this end she provides an organic, locally grown veggie subscription service once a week. WhatsApp 9120 0177 to place your order, and you can pick up your Vegetable Marketing Organisation-sourced veggies at the studio on Wednesdays. What began as a trial for members has struck a chord with residents throughout the community – so much so that Crystal says she is sometimes overwhelmed with bookings. “We never thought we would run our veggie subscription for this long, but people always bring new people,” Crystal says enthusiastically, highlighting how residents’ appetite for local produce sets a very encouraging precedent that can inspire the wider Hong Kong community.

A runner and avid nature lover, Crystal always favours local produce, as it tends to be healthier, cheaper and non-polluting. “Access to locally grown food is very important,” she says. “I would eat a locally grown choi sum over a veggie that has flown across the globe any day. I get it that there are differences in culture and tastes, but many of the basics are available locally too.” As data demonstrates, such initiatives can have a true impact on our planet. Each year worldwide, food amounts for around 16 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, which adds up to roughly 30% of overall human-produced carbon emissions. What’s more, a study presented last month by the University of Sydney found that global food miles emissions stand at 3 billion tonnes each year, a 7.5 increase from previous estimates. These figures are enough to testify how crucial ecologically minded people like Crystal are to our planet. She isn’t the only one.

THE SUSTAINABLE BOUTIQUE

Former Marketing Executive turned Licensed Avatar Master, Kannie Lee, took over at Garden Artemis, the sustainable boutique in DB North Plaza, in May.

From handcrafted noodles made in the New Territories to toilet paper produced locally and even ‘made in Hong Kong’ sunglasses, Garden Artemis (9137 4833) has all the attributes of a socially responsible store.

Amongst Garden Artemis’ bestselling products are locally made kombuchas, with flavours ranging from passion fruit to the more traditional Chinese tea.

Vegan ice-creams are becoming increasingly popular too, recent heatwaves driving the demand.

Following in her predecessors’ footsteps, Kannie is also planning to support local farmers by helping them sell their organic produce in her store. “Sourcing locally made products takes time and effort. It’s all about building networks and helping each other with passion,” says Kannie. For 18-year DB resident Kannie, Garden Artemis is more than a shop, it is a haven of relaxation designed to do good. “Local manufacturers can’t go to the supermarket because the fees are very expensive,” she explains. “The main reason I took over this shop is to support them and play my part.” When asked why no flowers are on sale, Kannie responds: “I thought about working with flower farms but try not to compete with other DB shops. They should have their own customers too. I believe in collaboration rather than competition. We have to support each other.” The conscientious entrepreneur hopes to spread positivity well beyond the walls of Garden Artemis. “In order to change the outside, you’ve got to change the inside first,” she says. “If your mindset is not changing, nothing will change.” Looking to the future, Kannie plans to turn her store’s lush terrace into a small café. “I want people to see Garden Artemis as a place to relax, enjoy local products and de-stress,” she says.

THE NIM SHUE WAN FARMS

Whilst difficult to imagine, even for many residents, DB has its fair share of local farms, where you can get your hands on fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables. Walk 10 minutes from the DB ferry pier, through Nim Shue Wan village and up the hill towards Mui Wo, and you’ll find Grandpa’s Garden, Tung Tung Farm and Zak’s Garden. In Hong Kong, local fresh vegetable production accounts for only 1.6% of fresh vegetables consumed, and the Nim Shue Wan farmers are proud to stand out from the crowd.

Of the three Nim Shue Wan farms, Grandpa’s Garden is the easiest to access, particularly for non-Cantonese speakers. You can call the farm (9137 0640) to find out what’s on sale currently, or better, drop by and chat to Grandpa’s head gardener, who speaks fluent English. You can reserve items or ask her to call you when specific items become available. Prices start at HK$20 – cash only. Named for its owner Mr Wong, Grandpa’s Garden has seasonality at its core, and organic fruit and vegetables are grown adjacently – everything from eggplants to tomatoes. Bananas, papayas and green beans are the main crops on sale over summer. “June was delicate for us because of heavy monsoon rains,” says Grandpa who nevertheless remains cheerful as more and more people are starting to stop by the farm to pick up fresh produce, thanks to word of mouth and social media’s outreach. A senior, the farmer occasionally turns into an educator, something dear to his heart. He explains that local primary schools often organise field trips, to inform students about the whys and hows of crop cultivation. Aware of the lack of garden space available to most DB residents, Grandpa and his wife also rent out plots for people to grow the fruit and veggies of their choice. As luck would have it, they also throw in a regular watering service.