Building Connections through Conversations on Food Sustainability: My Experience at Human Impact Toastmasters
Recently, I had the opportunity to share my thoughts on food sustainability at the Human Impact Toastmasters Club, the only Toastmasters group in Singapore with a focus on sustainability. As someone deeply invested in this cause, Human Impact Toastmasters felt like the perfect platform to spark conversations around sustainable food practices, and to meet others who are interested to be better communicators for the cause.
The club’s theme of the month was “Waste Less, Feed More,” inspired by the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (29 Sep). This couldn’t have been more relevant to my work in food sustainability.
A Club Where Sustainability Takes Center Stage
Toastmasters is known for helping people become better speakers by providing learning pathways, opportunities for prepared and impromptu speeches, and opportunities to receive mentoring and evaluation by experienced toastmasters.
Human Impact Toastmasters is also a space for learning and exchanging ideas with one another. During the meeting, an experienced Toastmaster shared his observation that even at other clubs, sustainability and food-related topics are being discussed more frequently, reflecting growing awareness of these issues. His observation helped me affirm that sustainability is an emerging mainstream topic that more people in Singapore are starting to be curious about, willing to speak about, and act upon.
Creative and Insightful Speeches
One of the highlights of the meeting were the prepared speeches. One speaker creatively connected the game of chess to achieving a sustainable world, highlighting the need for strategic thinking and actions in addressing environmental challenges. Another speaker shared how she ensures that nothing in her kitchen goes to waste — even failed recipes get repurposed into something new.
These speeches were informative and reinforced that sustainability can be approached in diverse and innovative ways. The speakers selected stories and statistics that reflect where they are on their sustainable journeys. As someone who has been deeply immersed in exploring food sustainability for over a decade, this gives me an insight to where people are with their understanding and practice of sustainability.
Exploring Food Waste Through Table Topics
The Table Topics segment gave attendees the chance to practice impromptu speaking. The topics centered around food packaging and the distribution of surplus food. I was heartened by how attendees spoke thoughtfully about complex issues.
One speaker shared how restaurants in India place surplus food in community fridges for those in need. Another emphasised the importance of redistributing food rather than letting it go to waste. A third speaker highlighted the importance of timely mobilisation of passionate volunteers for food redistribution strategies to be effective.
When it was my turn, I asked for a moment to give context before responding. I had noticed that no one mentioned the difference between food loss and food waste, so I took a minute to explain the distinction.
For my assigned topic of food labelling, I drew on my previous conversations with food retailers and distributors to share what date labels meant, and why food products are sometimes taken off shelves early.
Fireside Chat: Bringing My Story to Life
The fireside chat segment is not a typical activity of Toastmasters. Suzanne Loh, the club’s president, invited me to do this fireside after a brief meeting, also at a sustainable event, a couple of weeks back.
Suzanne, the club’s President, invited me to sit with her in front of the group before she asked questions that allowed me to open up about my 15-year fascination with food sustainability to the group.
Before the meeting, I had wondered if my story would resonate with the attendees. As I listened to the conversations and speeches, I felt the group’s curiosity and passion for sustainability.
I tried to be concise with my sharing, scaffolding from what had already been discussed, while broadening the group’s understanding on what food sustainability means.
The Q&A that followed was filled with thoughtful questions and perspectives. I was encouraged to see how engaged people were and how some of them are keen to explore different ways to waste less food and redistribute food surplus.
After the meeting, several people approached me, expressing interest in continuing the conversation, joining me for neighbourhood walks or composting, or collaborating on projects.
Platform for Change-Makers
My experience at this club affirmed that sustainability is increasingly a topic of interest and discussion. It was heartening to see how the Human Impact Toastmasters Club is integrating sustainability topics in their monthly meetings. I appreciate the opportunity to listen to the workshop tip, observe speeches, and hear speech evaluation.
I left the meeting feeling inspired. As more people become aware or curious about food sustainability topics, I believe that these conversations can lead to mindset change, a sense of community, and a greater motivation to try something new.
Seeds for sustainable living were sown at the meeting. May they germinate and create the tangible change that may, at times, feel so far away!
As Suzanne (the club president) said, this was a bit of a homecoming for me. I enjoyed attending the meeting, and felt at ease especially after the fireside sharing. Attending this Toastmasters meeting gave me a new appreciation for the structure, learning platform, and collaborative culture of Toastmasters. I love how the club blended the structured Toastmasters meeting with an educational workshop and fireside.
The club is still very new and they are looking for more members and guests to join them. If you are based in Singapore and are looking for a toastmasters club to join, do check them out!
Human Impact Toastmasters Club:
- Facebook group
- They meet every 4th Saturday morning at Hong Leong Building
- Club President: Suzanne Loh
