Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong’s S$3 subsidized meal vending machine in Punggol has become an instant hit. Most food items vanished within two days of launch.
The supplier has scrambled to adjust their restocking schedule from every two to three days to daily replenishment.
Gan Kim Yong, who also serves as Punggol GRC MP (and also as…Task Force Man), announced the launch of the first S$3 subsidized meal vending machine on Facebook last Sunday (25 May 2025).
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The machine aims to bring delicious, nutritious and affordable meals right to residents’ doorsteps. It sits at the ground floor of Block 326B Sumang Walk in Punggol.
Empty Shelves Greet Eager Customers
Shin Min Daily News reporters visited the vending machine on Monday morning (26 May 2025). What they found was telling: Out of approximately 40 product varieties, almost nothing remained.
Main dishes had sold out completely except for cup noodles. Only five snack items stayed in stock: chocolate milk bread, pandan cake, and chocolate cookies.
Several residents arrived hoping to make purchases. They discovered the limited selection and walked away empty-handed.
Mr Liu (name transliterated from Mandarin), a 30-year-old construction worker from Sembawang, made a special trip with his family. They left disappointed. “We wanted to try the curry chicken rice and chicken pasta,” he said. “But I think because it just launched one or two days ago, the response has been overwhelming. I’ll wait for the hype to die down before coming back.”
Residents Welcome Affordable Food Options
Punggol resident Ms You (name transliterated from Mandarin), a 65-year-old housewife, shared her thoughts during an interview. Punggol remains a relatively new town with limited dining establishments. Food prices run quite high in the area. Punggol North houses many new HDB flats. The vending machine launch benefits residents by providing more choices.
Retiree Li Jie La (name transliterated from Mandarin), 66, echoed similar sentiments. This initiative allows local residents to enjoy affordable food options. However, he hopes for more diverse product selections. “I think they could introduce non-halal food items, placed separately in another vending machine,” he suggested.
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Company Adjusts to Unexpected Demand
Local ready-to-eat food company Select Group supplies the subsidized meals. Its managing director spoke to reporters about the overwhelming response. Sales began last Thursday (22 May 2025), and demand exceeded all expectations.
The team originally planned restocking every two to three days. The sell-out speed caught them off guard. They quickly made adjustments, implementing daily restocking starting Monday.
“We restock 200 to 250 items each time,” the managing director explained. “Each product type gets about five to six units replenished.”
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