NTUC Foodfare opens Punggol coffeeshop

SINGAPORE - Punggol residents can tuck into more affordable meals with the opening of NTUC Foodfare (Foodfare) latest outlet there today.

It celebrated the opening of its Punggol coffeeshop with a "housewarming party" for its partners, neighbouring shops and nearby residents.

Welcoming families with popcorn giveaways for residents, balloon sculptures and caricatures for kids, and singing entertainment for the elderly, Foodfare saw the need to be a part of the community it is operating in.

CEO of NTUC Foodfare, Mr Perry Ong, said: "To us every opening of a coffeeshop is an important milestone. We didn't just set up another coffeeshop. To us, we are setting up our home right here in the vibrant new town of Punggol, where we see ourselves very much a part of the community here."

The main highlight of the celebration today was the social enterprise pledging $30,000 worth of Foodfare food vouchers for needy residents in Punggol.

Mr Ong added: "We believe as a social enterprise and being a part of this esteemed community, we can help shape and better the lives of our fellow Singaporeans especially those in need."

Foodfare also wants to establish itself as the community's local coffeeshop, which aims to reach out to grassroots and social service partners so that it can expand its reach more effectively.

Foodfare's recent initiatives to extend more help to the lower income and needy, included the Budget Pick, low priced entry meals introduced at its next generation coffeeshops, from as little as $2 for the public, to its Rice Garden Community Project stalls in hawker centres that sells curry rice at $1.99.

Today's opening of the Punggol coffeeshop also saw NEA's acknowledgement of Foodfare's Punggol coffeeshop stalls' hygiene status. Foodfare was happy to note they received "100 per cent A grading".

- chenj@sph.com.sg