Support for Stallholders Affected by Central Kitchen Meal Provision in Schools and Ensuring Nutritional Values for Such Meals

Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Education (a) how does the implementation of central kitchen meal provisions affect existing school canteen stallholders; and (b) what measures are in place to support stallholders during the transition to new canteen models.

Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Education (a) how does the Ministry ensure that meals provided by central kitchens adhere to nutritional guidelines and are accepted by students; and (b) what feedback mechanisms are in place to monitor student satisfaction and dietary health outcomes.

To ensure that our students can have access to a good range of food options, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has been working with schools that face or foresee facing difficulties in filling vacant stalls. For schools that are keen and ready, MOE is exploring different canteen operating models, such as those using central kitchens. Schools that still have a healthy number of stalls operating can retain their existing model of individual stallholders.

As we explore these new models, we will make every effort to preserve the livelihoods of existing stallholders who still want to work. We do so by referring them to nearby schools and recommending them for employment under the appointed central kitchen operators.

Similar to our existing canteen stallholders, MOE will require central kitchen operators to serve meals that adhere to the Health Promotion Board's (HPB's) guidelines, which require a balanced diet covering the four main food groups: carbohydrates, proteins, vegetables and fruits. In fact, it will be easier to ensure the quality of food prepared in central kitchens, as HPB officers can carry out checks directly at these facilities, compared to the current practice of checking across many individual stalls. Schools will work closely with central kitchen operators to provide feedback on the variety and quality of meals, based on surveys and food tasting sessions with parents and students.

MOE will continue to work with schools to explore a diversity of canteen models to complement individual canteen stallholders to ensure students continue to have access to a good variety of nutritious yet affordable food options.