A feast of sustainability

Some of the visitors thronging the community market at the Edible Park at Iskandar Puteri.

ISKANDAR PUTERI: To inspire people to make sustainable choices and have positive outcomes on health and the environment, Medini Iskandar Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MIM) organised its first ever “IP: Edible Festival”.

Visitors were entertained with various exciting activities including a cooking demonstration by Chef Darren Teoh of renowned restaurant Dewakan, where people delved into the relationship between food and their identity.

There were more than 40 food trucks as well as vendors selling local sustainably grown produce, artisanal food and handmade craft at the Elemental Edibles Pavilion (Green Market).

The green market at the Edible Park in Iskandar Puteri.

The festival was in collaboration with Johor Green, a platform run by social enterprise, specially created to promote awareness of how to improve the people’s lives and to be aware of what they consume everyday.

“This platform gave us extraordinary tools to encourage green living as part of a modern urban lifestyle in this new city of Iskandar Puteri,” said Johor Green founder Chris Parry.

MIM managing director and chief executive officer Dr James Tee said the partnership represented a community that was passionate about building a green ecosystem, which was vital to Medini’s identity as a smart, sustainable and health-conscious city.

Pastries sold at the Edible Park cafe.

“We are very happy to collaborate with Johor Green for the Edible Festival and the development of the Medini Green Parks,” he said.

He added that Medini’s developments were meticulously planned to allow residents, workers and visitors to experience it as a city built within a park.

The collaboration with Johor Green began with the development of Medini Green Parks that featured “edible” and “heritage” components. The 2ha Edible Park comprises a landscape designed to build a community around the important subject of food and incorporate it in sustainable living.

Bamboo trees and greenery make for a pleasant view at the venue.

It is equipped with a workshop studio, plant based cafe, gardens and orchards, whereas the 2.8ha Heritage Forest gathers local, native and regional flora in a setting that celebrates wilderness and biodiversity.

During the festival, visitors had the opportunity to explore how people use food to communicate during a session with celebrity Razif Hashim as well as watch and participate in a facilitated Lindy Hop dance session.