Mandai Wildlife Group launches 'Choose Good with Mandai' initiative featuring a food trail and game to encourage everyday choices that benefit people, wildlife and nature

Mandai Wildlife Group is launching a new campaign, Choose Good with Mandai, which focuses on the intrinsic value of wildlife to raise awareness of the symbiotic relationship between people, nature and the world. The campaign will highlight different actions we can take daily – conscious choices which will go a long way in protecting wildlife and preserving natural resources for future generations – like consuming plant-based foods and saving ‘ugly foods’, to choosing products that are sustainably sourced and made.  The Choose Good with Mandai initiative hopes to draw people towards simple ways of lowering their environmental impact, and at the same time, inspire a deeper appreciation for nature and wildlife.

As part of the campaign, members of the public can look forward to the rollout of two key activities – the Choose Good Food Trail which runs from 21 October to 25 November 2022, and the Choose Good Game Challenge which takes place from 18 November to 16 December 2022.

Ms Suzanne Ho, Senior Vice President, Brand & Communications for Mandai Wildlife Group said, “We are tapping on our shared love for food and the gaming culture of today - both highly accessible and well-loved concepts - to draw interest and rally people into action. Food and beverages form a large portion of most people’s expenses and daily consumption, so we are zooming in on choices that are simple and can become a way of life. Making good choices for the planet is not ground-breaking but it makes all the difference when people come together to continuously do that every day. We hope to bring as many people as possible on board to Choose Good with Mandai and our community of conscious collaborators.” 

In a joint study^[1] conducted by consumer research company, Milieu Insight, in partnership with Mandai Wildlife Group, 91 per cent of those surveyed in Singapore believe that lifestyle choices by individuals have “some” or “a huge’ impact on the environment. The top actions that respondents think have the biggest impact in helping the environment are reusing and upcycling (78%), reducing food waste (72%) and reducing one-time use disposables (71%). However, actual actions taken by individuals are lagging. For instance, only 50% currently reuse or upcycle, and 40% try to reduce food waste. The study also found that 78 per cent find it challenging to contribute towards sustainability efforts, citing challenges such as price, availability, and lack of transparency and knowledge of sustainability claims and options. 

Ms Suzanne Ho added: “Our food trail is created with 20 local food establishments which manage their operations with the planet in mind, putting environmental and social issues at the heart of their businesses. By doing so, we hope people are more aware of the options they have, and what sustainable businesses do and practise. The multiplier effect from individuals and businesses choosing good together spells hope for people, wildlife and nature to have a healthier planet to share and live in.” 

Choose Good Food Trail - 21 October to 25 November 2022 

The Choose Good Food Trail kickstarts the campaign. Mandai Wildlife Group has teamed up with 20 like-minded F&B brands to create exclusive food items and grocery bundles inspired by the diets of wildlife such as bananas, papayas, seeds and grains. The initiative hopes to spark conversations about the roles that animal species play in our natural ecosystem which contribute to a healthy planet, while highlighting the dependencies between wildlife and humans. This collaboration spotlights 14 animal species including the Celebes Crested Macaque, Malayan Sun Bear and Asian Small-Clawed Otter. The partners have also committed a portion of their proceeds from the items created, for Mandai Wildlife Group’s conservation efforts in Singapore and the region. 

The curated food trail highlights three important roles each species plays in maintaining balance in the ecosystem - through seed dispersal, nutrient cycling and managing wildlife populations: 

●    While foraging for food, animals disperse seeds which contributes to the growth of more trees that provide shelter, clean air, food and much more. Inspired by the diet of the Celebes Crested Macaque, The Social Space has concocted a smoothie bowl, Monkey Business, which incorporates the macaque’s favourite foods – dragon fruit, papaya and banana – plus soy milk and honey. Meanwhile, Birds of Paradise will launch a new sorbet flavour – Cucumber & Double Mint, which is inspired by the diet of the Sumatran Orangutan. 

●    Whether as predator, prey or decomposer, each species has a role to play in preserving ecological balance such as maintaining stability in wildlife populations and vegetation growth. One such contributor is the Asian Small-Clawed Otter. GoodFoodPeople present its new Garlic Seafood with Pesto Pasta that takes reference from one of the otter’s favourite foods - prawn - while Raw Kitchen Bar has created a Pulled Beef Toast using plant-based protein to celebrate the Malayan Tiger, an apex predator and keystone species of its ecosystem.

●    Animals promote nutrient cycling by loosening the soil when digging for food on the forest floor. To champion the world’s smallest species of bear and its role in the ecosystem, Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie has created a Mixed Fruit Chocolate Bar with some of the Sun Bear’s favourite foods - fig, banana, coconut and honey, while Huggs Coffee will push out a special bundle consisting of Pesto Chicken Wrap, Honey Lemon and a Banana Walnut Muffin. Also taking reference from the diet of another bear species – the Asiatic Black Bear, Grain Traders is rolling out a Mandai Hero Bowl, a treat ideal for lunch, while Little Farms whips up an Avocado, Quinoa, Feta Bowl. 

Embark on this journey of discovery about the importance of wildlife in our world and rally others to join in by sharing your experience on social media with #choosegoodwithMandai. Posts on Instagram that include at least five dishes from the Choose Good Food Trail stand to win prizes worth up to SGD5,600.

Choose Good Game Challenge - 18 November to 16 December 2022 

The second part of the campaign features the Choose Good Game Challenge where the public can choose their favourite animal character and go on adventures to save ugly food, as well as collect sustainably sourced seafood and plant-based food items. The game is set against everyday backdrops and living spaces such as the supermarket and kitchen. Through light-hearted educational comics and fun facts, players will learn about how conscious choices go a long way in protecting the environment. For instance, they will look out for seafood packaging with labels like the ASC green tick or the BAP logo that involve processes which do not harm the ecosystem. Players learn that they can make good choices by opting for seafood that is responsibly fished or farmed instead of products derived from trawling which is widely used but destructive to the environment.  

The Choose Good Game Challenge encourages players to progress through stages where they get to make more good choices. Prizes include the signature Panda Tour at River Wonders and a private buggy tour around Singapore Zoo, amongst many others.

Reaffirming Mandai Wildlife Group’s commitment to conservation and a sustainable future

Mandai Wildlife Group is dedicated to caring for the planet and protecting animals and nature. Conservation education is intrinsic in all interactions with the Group, to inspire action for a healthier world. This initiative is an extension of the refreshed master brand which the Group launched in October last year to bring people, communities and partners together to save species from extinction and ensure that biodiversity thrives. Choose Good with Mandai highlights that everyone can be involved in wildlife conservation by simply making good choices every day.

For more information on the Choose Good with Mandai campaign, please visit www.mandai.com/en/choosegood

[1] The quantitative research study was conducted in September 2022 by Milieu Insight, surveying over 1,000 Singapore residents aged 16 and above, with a general audience that is nationally representative of Singapore’s population by age, gender and household income. The margin of error is +/- 3 per cent with a 95 per cent confidence level.