SINGAPORE: Hwa Chong Institution’s (HCI) newly introduced hybrid canteen model has sparked online controversy, after photos of centrally catered school meals allegedly served to its secondary school students circulated on Reddit.
The images prompted criticism from netizens, who questioned the quality of the food and raised broader concerns about the expansion of the central kitchen model in schools.
In a Reddit post dated 3 January 2026, a user uploaded photos of what was described as lunch served to secondary school students at Hwa Chong Institution.
The images showed portions of rice served with stew and vegetables in one meal, and rice with stew, tofu and green beans in another.
“We are feeding SG kids cookhouse food from secondary school,” the original poster wrote, adding that this was what HCI students were being served for lunch and expressing hope that “this doesn’t become a trend.”
“NS cookhouse food”: Criticism of food quality and presentation
The post quickly gained traction, with many netizens criticising the appearance of the meals. Some compared the food to “prison food”, while others questioned whether such meals would discourage students from eating properly.
Some likened the pre-packed meals to “cookhouse food” served in the military, with a comment quipping that they would condition male students for SAF cookhouse fare ahead of National Service, while another said the dishes looked worse than NS meals.
One user commented that while healthy eating was important, it was difficult to imagine eating such meals every recess throughout one’s school life until graduation.
Loss of canteen culture and student choice
Others lamented what they saw as the decline of traditional school canteen culture. One comment highlighted the loss of iconic food stalls and the familiar relationships students had with canteen vendors, describing it as the end of a long-standing school experience.
A Reddit user who claimed to be an HCI student said the meals were unpopular among students, adding that only a small number in their class chose to pay for the catered food, while most opted for existing live stalls.
According to the user, teachers were disappointed by the low uptake, but students continued to patronise other available options, including vending machines.
Several commenters also expressed concern that centrally catered meals could lead to increased food wastage and reduced autonomy for students.
One user said that unlike NS cookhouse meals, where soldiers have little choice and are often hungry after training, students should retain the freedom to choose food they enjoy.
The commenter added that being able to buy favourite food or snacks was often a small but meaningful comfort during difficult school days.
The user suggested that if central kitchens served familiar local dishes such as nasi lemak or mee rebus, the arrangement might be more acceptable.
Another commenter said it was “super sad” to see centrally prepared cookhouse-style meals introduced at primary and secondary schools, arguing that not all children would adapt easily and questioning whether the policy was appropriate for young students.
The school said in October 2025 that it will partner caterer SATS to manage its canteens from 2026 under a hybrid model combining centrally prepared bento meals and on-site stalls.
The move followed concerns from operators about maintaining affordable prices, with bento meals available for pre-order via an app and menus rotated monthly.
On 6 January 2026, HCI in a Facebook post said parents and students were invited to sample the bento meals, review menus and provide feedback, with SATS present to address queries.
The school added that the meals are served in reusable containers and live stalls continue to operate alongside the bento offerings.
TOC has written to HCI seeking clarification on meal details, nutritional standards and costs, and will update if a response is received.
Expansion of central kitchen model in schools
From January 2026, 13 schools will shift from individual canteen stallholders to a central kitchen meal model, where a single operator manages food provision.
The change is driven by difficulties in attracting and retaining stallholders, following a pilot at Yusof Ishak Secondary School in 2022. Caterers include Chang Cheng Mee Wah Food Industries in the west, Gourmetz in the south and at Outram Secondary’s York Hill campus, and Wilmar Distribution in the north and east.
MOE said operators must cap meal prices at S$2.70 for primary and S$3.60 for secondary schools and comply with Health Promotion Board guidelines.
It stressed that the central kitchen model supplements, but does not replace, the default stallholder system.
During a parliamentary sitting in November 2024, then-Education Minister Chan Chun Sing said MOE was exploring alternative models, including central kitchen-based meal preparation, in response to difficulties some schools face in finding new canteen vendors.
He acknowledged that the issue is expected to worsen as existing stallholders retire.
Under the central kitchen model, meals are pre-ordered, prepared at a central facility and delivered to schools.
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