UPDATE (3.09pm): FairPrice has extended their apologies to the customer for her unpleasant experience. You can find their full statement below.
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In the past, various stalls across food centres in Singapore have received praise for keeping prices low for customers. However, this may not be the case islandwide, as a woman revealed recently.
She claimed that a cai png stall at Albert Food Centre in Bugis gives customers under assistance schemes small portions.
Source: Facebook
As a result, she has called for stall owners to exercise more empathy when participating in these schemes.
Posting to Facebook on 24 Mar, the woman shared that she heard allegations of a cai png stall at Albert Food Centre giving customers small portions.
Under NTUC Foodfare, the stall, Rice Garden, provides specific cardholders with subsidised meals.
Source: Facebook
ComCare cardholders can opt for the set menu at S$1.50, while Pioneer Generation, Merdeka Generation, CHAS Blue and NTUC Union members can purchase it at S$2.50.
The usual price for the set menu is S$3.
Testing out the system for herself, the woman, an NTUC Union member, patronised the stall for four days from 21 to 24 Mar.
On the first day, she was told by staff working the stall that she would not be able to choose the type of dishes in her meal.
“If you choose, it’s S$3,” the woman shared. This is what her meal on the first day looked like.
Source: Facebook
This is her serving on the second day.
Source: Facebook
On the third day, 23 Mar, she went for the S$3 meal to take a break from eating the same food two days in a row.
And on the fourth day, she went back to ordering the S$2.50 meals. Again, the food served was the same as before.
Source: Facebook
“Do you expect the elderly to eat all meals with the same dishes daily?” she asked. “They may be poor, but they paid for their meals.”
The woman called the servings “pathetic and miserable”, urging the staff to show seniors more respect and empathy.
“If you are not happy serving those under assistance scheme, don’t participate in the scheme,” she concluded.
The post has since gained a fair amount of attention on Facebook, with many in agreement with her opinion.
In response to MS News‘ queries, a spokesperson from FairPrice extended their apologies towards the customer.
“We would like to clarify that we offer a concessionary meal option at all our Rice Garden stalls, consisting of one meat and two vegetable dishes, starting from S$1.50 and S$2.50 for Comcare cardholders and NTUC members respectively,” they said.
In addition, the dishes available for customers to choose from under this concessionary meal option are clearly identified with colour-coded tags.
Necessary steps will also be taken to ensure food stall operators adhere to pre-agreed standard operating procedures.
“We expect all vendors to uphold the operating and service standards that we have set out for them,” the spokesperson added.
Customers with feedback may contact FairPrice directly at their Customer Service Hotline at 6380 5858 or here, so that they may address any concerns in a timely and effective manner.
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from Facebook.
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