Fresh air, sunlight and greenery are in scarcity for urban dwellers especially for those who are packed in a high-density city like Hong Kong. Weekend escape to the countryside, seeking haven for regenerating one’s heart and soul seems becoming a necessity rather a fashion.
Yet, the accessibility of these free public goods might be beyond reach for the majority on a daily basis, and conceptual alternatives for the desire for “healthy living” are to be quenched.

Healthy living has to be realized in context and its meaning is always subject to the evolving definition of the affectionate party – those has a strong sense of ownership and belonging.
Living a healthy life is about wholeness, a life that ties with the nature, history and the community; a life about respect and sharing; a life about understanding and experience.

Food is a big part of our life.
Other than nutrition and taste, there are numerous expectations for various reasons. Questions on origin, producer, ingredient and method of production are often asked these days. These questions are not merely raised for the sake of food safety or quality, but for tracing back to the land and people that our consumption are linked to.
It is a matter of relationship and network; it is a matter of believe and trust.

While labels on product provide most of the needed information, seeing is believing!
When people can build their own profile for a brand and its products through their own direct experience, their multi-level aspirations of a product, be it a bowl of rice or a dish of soya sauce, can be better fulfilled. That taste of the meal could perhaps recall one’s sweet moment in the field or an adventure of foraging.

iN working at the re-qualification of abandoned areas – particularly remote ones where economic activities of any kind, including farming, have vanished – we should consider these realities : the building of some new form of ‘healthy living’, is an actc of caring for the community.

We need to consider these efforts as multi-faceted ones aimed to re-establish a balance between nature conservation and rural activities, first.

We must be able to showcase how to generate economic output while maintaining the quality of our natural environment. Agricultural activities enhance bio-diversity and support the re-creation of Close connection with individuals and local community; partnerships and mutual support are essential.

Small operations, non-profit organizations and individuals involved in farming, food production, eco-tourism, community education; etc., may not have proper access to all the pivotal nodes of the business chain but can play a key part in their own role: in constructing and maintaining a common business platform, a community based network.

Cross-branding could be an effective mean to enhance sense of ownership and also quality control when people take pride in their contribution in whatever form.

Food has a much larger meaning than feeding and indulgence, it can be a choice for betterment of our environment and community.

The farm, is not a production ground; it is our stage.