In response to a Straits Times’ article, “There’s a food crisis silently brewing in schools in Singapore,” I want to address some of the points raised and offer an alternative perspective.

School canteens in Singapore are facing new pressures as they try to offer healthier meals, but this shift brings up several important issues that we need to address to ensure a practical and enjoyable food environment for students.

In the past, school canteens provided affordable meals partly because vendors paid very low rents—sometimes just $10 a month. This allowed them to keep prices down and still earn a decent income. But while prices in canteens should remain lower than what students pay outside school, we need to acknowledge that costs have risen with inflation. Ingredient prices have gone up, and it’s no longer realistic to expect vendors to keep prices the same as they were years ago. It’s time to allow for reasonable price adjustments so that vendors can cover their costs.

Who Should Cover the Cost of Healthier Meals?

Another key issue is the added expense of healthier ingredients. Using wholegrain rice or adding fruit to meals is more expensive, and vendors can’t be expected to absorb those costs without some help. If we want to promote healthy eating in schools, the cost needs to be shared fairly among the Ministry of Education (MOE), Health Promotion Board (HPB), parents, and vendors.

Vendors alone shouldn’t have to carry this financial burden, especially when they are required to keep prices low. There needs to be a discussion on whether more subsidies or a slight increase in meal prices for parents is necessary to support these healthier changes.

Can We Focus More on Education?

Instead of enforcing strict rules on healthy eating, perhaps we should put more emphasis on teaching students about nutrition and letting them make informed decisions. By educating them on the importance of balanced diets, we give them the tools to make good choices. They don’t have to eat perfectly all the time—sometimes allowing them to have the occasional treat in moderation can also be part of a balanced approach.

For many of us, recess was one of the highlights of the school day. The food was delicious, and we looked forward to it. But if we focus too much on rules and restrictions, we risk taking away that enjoyment for students today. It’s important to encourage healthy eating, but it’s also important that students find joy in their food. After all, food should be something they look forward to, not just something they have to endure.

A more balanced approach might allow students to enjoy both healthy and occasional indulgent foods. This teaches them that while it’s important to eat well, it’s okay to have a treat now and then—just as we do in the real world.

Finding a Way Forward

The discussion about school meals is bigger than just serving healthier food. We need to think about how to fairly manage the costs, support canteen operators, and still provide meals that students enjoy. A practical solution will involve collaboration between the government, parents, and vendors, along with a focus on teaching students to make better food choices on their own.

By keeping school meals both healthy and enjoyable, we can help students develop good eating habits that will last a lifetime.