As childhood obesity rates continue to rise in Malaysia, Monash University Malaysia brought its children-focused Little Food Festival outside Australia for the first time, using play-based activities to build food literacy and sustainability awareness among young Malaysians.
The one-day community event drew nearly 950 attendees, including 70 children from the Dignity for Children Foundation, offering hands-on activities that showed how food is grown, moved, prepared, eaten and recycled.
According to the World Health Organization, childhood obesity in Malaysia has been on the rise for more than a decade, with over 30 per cent of children aged five to 17 classified as overweight or obese in 2022. This trend contributes to a “double burden of malnutrition” with long-term implications for health, education and productivity.
At the same time, the global food system contributes approximately one-third of total greenhouse gas emissions, pointing to the links between diet, health, and climate sustainability.
The festival was officiated by Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, President and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Monash University Malaysia, who also marked the launch of the Monash Future Food Innovation and Nutrition Network (MUFFINN). PP Health Malaysia (PPHM) was invited to attend.
“The Little Food Festival is about empowering children to understand where food comes from. By helping children learn about good, natural food and sustainability from a young age, we can encourage healthier choices that benefit their wellbeing, the community and the environment. Through MUFFINN, we are bringing together education, research and industry to support a more sustainable future of food in Malaysia,” Professor Adeeba said.
MUFFINN is a Food Innovation and Nutrition Network established to drive solutions across the food system, with a focus on food sustainability, food security and healthy food options. While launched on the same day, MUFFINN operates beyond the festival itself, aiming to engage industry partners in developing innovative food products, provide laboratory and sensory evaluation services, and support the translation of research from concept to marketplace.
Professor Emily Goh, Head of the School of Science, said the festival reflects Monash’s commitment to translating research into meaningful community engagement. “By engaging children through fun and hands-on experiences, we hope to spark curiosity about food, nutrition and sustainability,” she said.
The Little Food Festival was led by Professor Lee Fong Siow, Chair of the Organising Committee, Little Food Festival, and Deputy Head of School (Education), School of Science, working closely with academics, students and partners to deliver an engaging and educational program for young audiences.
Festival highlights included a ‘Heritage Twist’ cooking demonstration by Dato’ Chef Ismail Ahmad of Restaurant Rebung and interactive showcases that celebrated local ingredients and food heritage.
The Little Food Festival Malaysia pop-up 2026 was supported by Monash University and the Sandro Demaio Foundation as Founding Partners, with Avocados Australia and Alor Signature as Activation Partners, and supporting partners from Top Art & Creative, the Malaysian Cocoa Board, Inside Scoop, Bug’s Paradise Farm and Graze Market, with special appreciation extended to Dr Loh Kai Kwong, a member of the School of Science’s Industry Advisory Board who is acknowledged for his contribution to the Juice Bike activation during the festival.
