Sats to run hybrid school canteen model at Hwa Chong Institution from 2026

It combines meals cooked at on-site stalls with options prepared in a central kitchen

- Elisha Tushara Correspondent

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 onsite stalls with prepacked 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.