Starting in January 2026, a total of 13 schools have transitioned to a centralized kitchen system for meal provision, aiming to address challenges in attracting canteen vendors. The Ministry of Education has designated several caterers, including Chang Cheng Mee Wah Food Industries and Wilmar Distribution, to oversee the preparation and distribution of meals from large off-campus kitchens.
Meals are prepared in bulk, beginning as early as 4 AM, and are delivered to schools by 7 AM. This new system allows students to pre-order meals digitally, with options accommodating dietary restrictions being filtered automatically. Despite the operational efficiencies claimed by the central kitchen model, including improved hygiene and consistent pricing, it has sparked controversy, particularly after viral images from Hwa Chong Institution depicted the quality of meals served.
While some schools have adopted a hybrid model, combining centrally prepared meals with on-site stalls, critics argue that this approach may overlook the importance of variety and quality. The ongoing discussions raise the question of how Singapore can enhance this centralized meal system by learning from the experiences of other countries that have implemented similar models.