SINGAPORE – Students at Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) can order lunch bentos through an app when the school teams up with airline caterer Sats to revamp its canteen operations in 2026.
HCI is among a growing number of
schools that have turned to external food operators
to replace traditional canteen stallholders.
In response to queries, an HCI spokeswoman said Sats will run both the high school and college canteens under a hybrid model that combines freshly cooked meals from on-site stalls with pre-packed options prepared in a central kitchen.
Under the new system, the institution’s 4,300 students and staff can pre-order bento sets through an app, as well as buy meals and desserts from stalls on campus offering options such as Indian fusion, Chinese cuisine and soft-serve yogurt. The meal prices have not been finalised yet.
HCI teacher Charles Low, a member of the canteen management committee, said feedback from students about long recess queues prompted the school to explore new operating models.
It was also a challenge for the high school’s existing nine food stalls and one drink stall to keep prices affordable amid rising prices of ingredients as they operate independently, he said.
Mr Low said the school was intrigued by Sats’ hybrid model, which is said to be able to cut queue time to about three minutes with automated meal dispensers.
Before making the switch, HCI consulted students, staff and parents through assemblies, meetings and food-tasting sessions.
Sats conducted a large food-tasting event in October 2024 for about 200 participants – students, teachers and parents – from both the high school and college.
“They weren’t confirmed as our partner yet, but they wanted everyone to understand what such a meal model would look and taste like,” said Mr Low.
