S$3 meals from vending machine just launched in Punggol North almost sold out in 2 days

Residents in Punggol North are able to buy S$3 meals following the recent launch of the value meals vending machine at Block 326B Sumang Walk.

Deputy Prime Minister and Punggol GRC MP Gan Kim Yong launched the value meals vending machine, with most of the food quickly selling out within two days, Shin Min Daily News reported.

In a Facebook post on May 26, Gan said the vending machine was launched to bring "delicious, nutritious and affordable meals" to residents' doorstep.

Gan was seen trying out the machine and letting a resident try the food he heated up using the attached microwave oven.

Many items sold out

Many items, such as curry chicken and pasta, were sold out when a Shin Min reporter visited the vending machine on May 26.

Only cup noodles and some snacks, such as bread and biscuits, were still in stock.

A Sembawang resident, who went down with his family to try the meals, told the Chinese media he was disappointed as they were not able to buy any.

He added that he will come back once the vending machine's popularity has subsided.

A Punggol resident shared that the vending machine is beneficial for residents as Punggol is a relatively new town with limited eateries in the area and relatively higher food prices.

Another resident said that while it allows residents here to enjoy affordable food, they hope that the meal options will be more diversified.

"I think non-halal food can be introduced and placed separately in another vending machine," they said.

Restocking everyday

The company behind the vending machine, Select Group, told Shin Min that the response has been very positive since the machine was installed on May 22.

Initially, the team planned to restock it every two to three days.

However, due to unexpectedly high demand, they have switched to restocking the machine daily since May 26.

Each restock includes 200 to 250 items, with around five to six units of each product type.

Vending machines around Singapore

This is not the first time a S$3 value meal vending machine was introduced to neighbourhoods in Singapore.

Earlier on Mar. 9, 2025, the South West Community Development Council (CDC) partnered with Select Group to launch the Value Meals @ South West.

Gan, in his former position at Chua Chu Kang GRC, kicked off the initiative together with Mayor of South

West District Low Yen Ling and 80 seniors from the Chua Chu Kang division.

This initiative saw Select Group sponsoring vulnerable residents with credits worth a total of S$600,000 to purchase value meals from the vending machines.

The credits were allocated to beneficiaries through the respective South West District divisions based on residents’ needs, providing greater support in the community, a press release dated Mar. 9 stated.

Top photos from Gan Kim Yong/Facebook