Written answer by Ministry of National Development on ways to ensure availability of budget cooked food and halal food options at HDB coffee shops

Jul 3, 2023

Question No: 4712

Question by: Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling

To ask the Minister for National Development in order to provide budget cooked food options (a) whether the Ministry has considered (i) being an anchor operator for some budget food types in HDB coffeeshops and (ii) to centrally source essential ingredients for small operators to purchase with economies of scale; and (b) how will the Ministry ensure that there are sufficient operators selling halal budget food in each neighbourhood.

Answer:

In March 2023, HDB announced the Budget Meals initiative to ensure that budget food options are available in HDB estates. As part of this initiative, all rental coffee shops under HDB renewing their tenancies from May 2023 onwards will be required to offer at least four budget meals and two budget drink options. 

2.       HDB is not considering direct participation in the food and beverage industry as there is no lack of enterprises within the sector. Moreover, it would involve a significant departure from HDB’s core mandate. However, HDB will continue to work closely with economic agencies such as ESG and IMDA to facilitate the upgrading of capabilities among SMEs in the heartlands, including those in the F&B industry, so that they can continue to make productivity gains and offer better value to consumers.

3.       Since 2005, it has been a requirement for HDB rental coffee shops to provide at least one halal stall. As part of the new budget meal requirement, one of the four proposed budget meals is required to be a halal meal.