How a ‘food forest’ is bringing neighbours together

Behind Block B of 1Razak Mansion in Salak South, a patch of land once overgrown with weeds now draws residents out of their homes to garden, chat and occasionally cook together.

The 560-sq-ft space, known as the “food forest”, has been growing for about eight months. More than 80 species of vegetables, fruits and herbs have been planted there, with around 60 residents taking part.

Among them is Siti Hanah Ahmad, 75, who proudly points out a chilli patch she planted three months ago.

“Look over there. The chillies have already started growing – there are quite a lot of them,” she told Bernama.

For Azni Saharin, 67, the pleasure lies as much in sharing knowledge as in harvesting what they grow.

“It is wonderful to see what we have grown. Not only does it help us save on household expenses, but we also get to share our gardening and cooking skills,” she said, gesturing towards a misai kucing plant with her walking stick.

Alice Fernandez, 64, sees another benefit: the garden gives older residents somewhere to spend time outside rather than remaining at home with little to do.

“It’s a good way to connect with nature and relax the mind,” she said. “Without this space, residents would just be stuck at home with not much to do, which is not good for their mental wellbeing.”

Additionally, the garden has become a place for residents to exchange food traditions: Fernandez recalls joining neighbours to prepare nasi ulam using ingredients grown around them.

“We enjoyed the process of making it and were amazed that we could come together to appreciate our traditional food,” she added.

It is a considerable change for a corner of the housing complex that residents once largely avoided.

Anthony Tan, who is part of the 1Razak Mansion management, said the area had previously been overgrown and sat close to both a funeral hall and a rubbish room, making it an unlikely place for people to linger.

Since it was cleared and replanted at the beginning of the year, however, residents have gradually claimed it as an outdoor gathering space.

“Now it has become a source of pride for the residents and our favourite place to spend time outdoors,” Tan said.

Alongside growing food, residents are also learning about recycling and composting, while efforts are being made to improve the environment around nearby Sungai Kerayong.

The project was developed with social entrepreneur Billy Tang, who believes urban food growing can do more than put vegetables on the table.

In densely populated housing, he said, older residents can easily become disconnected from neighbours and community activities. Gardening gives them something practical to do together while encouraging movement, social interaction and a sense of responsibility for the space around them.

Weekly activities have expanded beyond gardening to include Tai Chi, Zumba, cooking classes and traditional Chinese medicine services.

“Now even our Chinese residents enjoy eating nasi ulam made from what they have planted,” Tang, 60, shared happily. “This creates a harmonious community, where the food forest can serve as a place for exchanging cultures and learning from each other.”

Tang, an Oxford Award winner for his sustainability efforts, describes the site as the first version of a broader idea in which food production becomes a starting point for healthier ageing, environmental learning and stronger neighbourhood participation.

A larger second phase is being developed in Batang Kali, where the concept is expected to include food forests, biodiversity restoration and learning programmes involving people of different ages.

For Tang, an important part of the approach is recognising that older people still have knowledge and experience to contribute, rather than seeing them only as recipients of care.

Here, this idea is already visible in the way residents grow, harvest and maintain the garden themselves while learning techniques they can also use at home.

One system introduced to the community is a small-scale aquaponics setup, which combines fish and plants in a recirculating environment. Nutrients from the fish are used by the plants, while the plants help improve the water before it returns to the tank.

The aim is to give residents a hands-on understanding of how food, water and waste can be managed more efficiently.

Another tool, known as the Eco-HOPE Box, is designed for households with little or no farming experience. Residents learn basic soil care and moisture management, as well as ways to harvest certain vegetables without removing the entire plant.

Even everyday kitchen resources such as rice-washing water may be reused where suitable, helping participants see how small household habits can be incorporated into growing food and reducing waste.

“The bigger vision is to help people understand that soil, food, health, education and community are not separate issues. They are interconnected,” Tang said.

Some of the most encouraging changes, however, have appeared naturally. Tang said bees began returning within four months of planting, while butterflies, birds and earthworms have also been observed around the garden.

“The residents here were very excited to see the food forest surrounded by bees and butterflies,” he said.

For him, these creatures’ return showed that even a small pocket of greenery in a densely developed neighbourhood could begin supporting more life when suitable conditions were created.

The ultimate aim, Tang said, is not to make 1Razak Mansion entirely self-sufficient in food, but to give residents enough knowledge and confidence to grow some of what they need if rising prices or supply problems make fresh produce harder to obtain.

“At least if anything happens, they can grow food for their community,” he concluded.

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