Here’s what S’pore students are eating for lunch under the new central kitchen model

Following the implementation of the Central Kitchen Meal Model (CKMM) from January 2026, several schools have shared photos of what the catered food looks like.

Thus far, 13 schools have adopted this model, where the canteen is managed by a single operator.

Three vendors have been appointed to implement the CKMM — Chang Cheng Mee Wah Food Ind Pte. Ltd., Gourmetz Pte. Ltd., and Wilmar Distribution Pte. Ltd.

Here's a closer look at the meals, and what one school described as a "new recess experience".

CHIJ (Kellock) Primary School

Kranji Primary School

Qifa Primary School

West View Primary School

Former president Halimah Yacob also chimed in: "The food looks good to me."

She also recalled that meals in her time were "much simpler, choices limited and portions smaller".

"Partly because I didn’t have much money too."

More on the CKMM

Currently, there are nine other schools under the CKMM:

• Dazhong Primary School
• Pioneer Primary School
• Blangah Rise Primary School
• Radin Mas Primary School
• River Valley Primary School
• Outram Secondary School
• Casuarina Primary School
• Chongzheng Primary School
• Northoaks Primary School

According to the Ministry of Education, these schools opted for the CKMM due to difficulties in finding new stallholders to fill in vacant stalls, despite the low rental rates.

Their existing canteen stallholders were also retiring.

Central kitchen operators are required to provide at least one full meal priced at a maximum of S$2.70 in primary schools and S$3.60 in secondary schools.

Some schools also have vending machines students can purchase pre-packed meals from.

Hwa Chong food

Recently, concerns were raised over the quality, price and portions of catered food at Hwa Chong Institution (HCI).

The school had turned to a hybrid model — airline caterer SATS would provide canteen meals prepared from a central kitchen, while on-site stalls would continue to serve freshly cooked meals.

A Reddit thread on Jan. 3 compared the meals, packaged in bento boxes, to "cookhouse food".

In response, an HCI spokesperson said the school has been closely monitoring their canteen operations, including "food quality, portion sizes and students’ daily dining experience".

It said that a photograph circulating online "does not accurately reflect the typical food offerings or portion standards under this arrangement".

The school is also in the process of establishing a "canteen review committee comprising staff, student and parent representatives, working in partnership with SATS".

Top photo from CHIJ (Kellock)/FB and Kranji Primary School/FB