Edible Garden City to Close: Singapore Urban Farm Faces Lease End & Rising Costs

Singapore’s Edible Garden City (EGC), a social enterprise pioneering urban farming, is preparing to leave its decade-long home in Queenstown by the end of June. The departure follows a government decision not to renew the lease on the 8,557 square meter (roughly 1.2 football fields) plot of land at 60 Jalan Penjara, a site that supplies produce to approximately 100 restaurants and 20 households each week. The land is slated for future residential development, signaling a shift in priorities for Singapore’s urban space allocation.

EGC’s story highlights the challenges faced by socially-minded farms operating within a densely populated, resource-constrained nation like Singapore, where maximizing food productivity often takes precedence. Experts suggest this situation isn’t isolated, reflecting broader difficulties in securing long-term land access for community-based agricultural initiatives. As the Straits Times reported recently, Singapore imports over 90% of its food, making food security a critical national concern, but the focus remains on large-scale, efficient production rather than localized, community-driven models.

A Shift in Mandate: From Resilience to Productivity

Founded in 2012, EGC initially received support from an inter-agency urban farming task force led by the Ministry of National Development (MND) as part of a broader effort to bolster Singapore’s food resilience. The task force concluded its work in 2015. However, according to EGC co-founder Bjorn Low, the government’s focus has since evolved. “Now, it’s about productivity, technology,” Low explained. “Because what we grow is not listed as the staples, we are not accorded the same level of attention or support.” EGC specializes in high-value crops like herbs, edible flowers, and microgreens, rather than staple foods like rice or vegetables, which influences its prioritization within national food security strategies.

The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) extended EGC’s lease for six months to facilitate a transition, and has offered an alternative site, though This proves subject to tender. Low expressed concern that a smaller commercial space would cost roughly three times more in rent, potentially jeopardizing the farm’s financial sustainability. The company currently operates over 270 food gardens in underutilized spaces across Singapore, including mall rooftops, demonstrating its broader impact beyond the Jalan Penjara site. Spa Esprit Group, a partner of EGC, highlights the company’s focus on creating social change through community-centric agriculture.

Impact on Employment and Vulnerable Populations

Beyond the logistical challenges of relocation, Low voiced significant concern for the six adults with autism who have been employed by EGC for the past decade. “We need them to be in a safe working environment, which is accessible because public spaces are a bit tricky for them,” he said. “We need a good back-of-house area where they can continue to do the work, and we can continue to employ them.” The farm’s restructuring poses a direct threat to these individuals’ livelihoods and underscores the social value embedded within EGC’s operations. The need for accessible and supportive employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities adds a layer of complexity to the relocation process.

The Broader Challenges Facing Community Farms

EGC’s experience mirrors the difficulties faced by other community farms in Singapore. Ground-Up Initiative (GUI), another urban farming organization, recently underwent a relocation in February 2025 after two years of negotiations with authorities. While GUI was allocated a new plot of land, it was undeveloped, lacking essential infrastructure like sewage, cabling, and drainage. GUI chief operating officer Mei Chang noted that rent doubled despite the lack of existing infrastructure, and it took until October of that year for government agencies to agree to support with connection points for basic utilities. GUI now faces an estimated $3.3 million in development costs for the new facility, one year into its lease.

These cases illustrate that access to land is only the first hurdle for community farms. Significant investment is often required to develop and maintain these sites, and navigating bureaucratic processes can be time-consuming and costly. The lack of long-term security and the potential for escalating costs create significant financial risks for these organizations.

The Value of Urban Farming Beyond Yield

Despite the challenges, experts emphasize the crucial role community farms play in building robust food systems and educating the public about the complexities of food production. These farms may not achieve the same levels of productivity as large-scale commercial operations, but they contribute to a broader understanding of food origins and sustainable practices. Urbanist and author Sarah Ichioka argued that the decision not to extend EGC’s lease signals a potential disconnect between policymakers and the value of these farms in fostering urban resilience. “We want to avoid a scenario in which Singaporeans become ever more passive consumers who think that their food comes straight from a machine, delivered in plastic,” she said.

Professor Jeffrey Hou, head of the architecture department at the National University of Singapore, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of direct engagement with food production. “Food is not just about production. It’s something that people need to see. They cannot all be locked up in a factory. It’s important that people actually see food being grown, to touch it, to learn,” he said.

Looking Ahead: EGC’s Future and the Role of Community Farming

EGC is now exploring its options for the future, potentially operating without a central home base. The company will need to adapt its business model and explore alternative strategies for maintaining its operations and supporting its beneficiaries. The SLA has indicated that the community farming scene has matured, pointing to the growth of rooftop and allotment gardens in HDB estates and parks as evidence of increased local food production. More information about EGC’s work can be found on their website, including details about their workshops and garden projects.

The future of EGC, and of community farming in Singapore more broadly, will depend on continued dialogue between government agencies, social enterprises, and the public. Balancing the need for food security with the social and educational benefits of localized food production will be a key challenge in the years to come. The farm’s restructuring will require careful consideration of its impact on its employees, its beneficiaries, and the broader community it serves.