Nutritious groceries and meals: How communities are coming together to feed families in need

For Madam Dayana Shahirah Ridwan, a simple meal out with her three young children is a rare treat. With one household income, every expense adds up.  

Thanks to Kopitiam vouchers from the Singapore Red Cross, she can now take a break from cooking when she needs one and treat them to their favourite dishes – macaroni soup and chicken rice – at the Cantine food court in Northshore Plaza II.

“With three young children to take care of, there are times when I’m just too tired to cook,” says Madam Dayana. “Being able to use the vouchers has taken some of the strain off the family budget.”

The 38-year-old lives in an HDB flat in Punggol with her husband, their nine-year-old son and four-year-old twin daughters. Her husband is the family’s sole breadwinner.

Singapore Red Cross and its beneficiaries like Madam Dayana’s family are among the many partners that FairPrice Group is working with for its

nationwide food donation drive, A Full Plate

, now in its second year.

“Our Kopitiam outlets have always been a place for families and friends to come together over a comforting hot meal,” says Mr Henry Chu, chief executive officer, Food Services Business, FairPrice Group.

“Through A Full Plate and the generosity and support of everyday Singaporeans who donate, we are able to put hot meals on the tables of those who need it most, especially since not everyone can or has the time to cook.”

Diners can support families in need by donating $2 drinks or $3 hot meals (also known as breakfast sets) at The Kiosk or Kopi Kiosk counters across participating Kopitiam and Cantine outlets islandwide. These donations are converted into Kopitiam vouchers, which FairPrice Group’s charity partners distribute to their beneficiaries, giving them convenient access to nutritious, warm meals at any Kopitiam outlet.

Fresh food for those in need

The inaugural run of A Full Plate, held from October to November 2024, raised over $1.6 million, feeding over 600,000 beneficiaries across 10 charity partners. This year, the Group is more than doubling the number of charity partners it is working with, from 10 to 21. The food donation drive is running from Oct 15 to Dec 15.

Another key component of the A Full Plate initiative is FairPrice’s grocery bundles – available in denominations of $10, $36, $60 and $100 – which shoppers can buy to donate while paying for their own groceries at all FairPrice outlets, including Unity and Cheers, or via the

FairPrice website

or the FairPrice Group app.

Notes Mr Vipul Chawla, group chief executive officer of FairPrice Group: “Through the A Full Plate study that we conducted last year on Singaporeans’ nutritional habits and from our own engagement with the beneficiaries, we know that many in need have a strong desire to provide their families with nutritious and healthy food.

“A Full Plate was developed to bridge this gap – providing families in need with essentials beyond dry staples or canned goods to have more nourishing, fulfilling meals, one plate at a time.”

These nutritious essentials include fresh vegetables, protein and wholesome options such as oats and brown rice.

Among those who donated to A Full Plate in 2024 is Ms Brenda Toh, 31, a preschool vice-principal who donated a grocery bundle at the self-checkout counter of FairPrice Xtra JEM.

She says: “Nutritious food is such a basic need. Being in the education sector, I have seen for myself how some parents find it challenging to give their children a healthy meal.”

Madam Dayana is also on the receiving end of these grocery bundles. She is grateful for the inclusion of eggs and other fresh versatile groceries that she uses to cook her family’s favourite dishes.

“I also appreciate the low-fat milk and cereal for my children. They can start their day strong with a nutritious breakfast before going to school. Sometimes, I will share any extra groceries I receive with my parents, siblings and my neighbours,” she says.

She adds: “With three children it can be stressful to manage the finances, so the groceries and vouchers I receive really help to alleviate some of the financial stress at home. 

“I am grateful to have such a supportive community in Singapore. To the donors, I want to let them know that they are doing a great job in sharing and supporting the community.”

Working together for a good cause

When it comes to working with its A Full Plate charity partners, FairPrice Group focuses on long-term support rather than one-time aid. At the end of the food donation drive, all contributions are channelled to its partners, who redeem groceries that best meet the needs of their beneficiaries.

Instead of making a single bulk delivery, FairPrice Group provides a steady supply of nutritious essentials over time – including fresh fruits, vegetables and proteins – to complement the ongoing food support beneficiaries already receive. This approach also allows charity partners to plan ahead, ensuring a consistent flow of groceries while they continue their outreach efforts.

Partners then distribute these daily essentials at their own collection points and community events. According to FairPrice Group, some of its items, such as eggs, vegetables, brown rice, milk and frozen poultry, were introduced based on feedback from both beneficiaries and partners.

Says FairPrice Group’s Mr Chawla: “Our network of partners – both new and existing – are the bridge between initiatives like A Full Plate and the people who need them most. They play the important role of connecting us to the community, and keeping us in touch with those in need. Without them, A Full Plate 2024 would not have had the impact it did, and we wouldn’t be able to scale it up to reach even more groups in need this year.”

Non-profit organisation Jamiyah Singapore, which also runs three mini food banks known as Jampacked, and has 3,000 beneficiaries under its care, has been part of A Full Plate since its inception.

“We used to provide staple dry goods, but with A Full Plate, we can now provide more options such as frozen chicken and kosong (sugar-free) drinks for much-needed nutrition as requested by our beneficiaries,” says Mr Mohamed Sirajudin Mohamed Salman, its vice president III.

Beneficiaries can choose the items they need most from a range stocked at Jamiyah’s mini food banks. “That freedom gives them dignity of choice,” adds Mr Muhammad Arif Mohd Salleh, Jamiyah’s acting head of community outreach.

Jamiyah’s beneficiary Mr Danny Ho was pleasantly surprised when he visited the Bukit Batok facility to find well-stocked shelves with a wide variety of essential items. Being on long-term medication, he says he truly appreciates that Jamiyah and FairPrice Group have introduced healthier options, which have improved his well-being.

“Now, I look forward to each collection, knowing I have access to nutritious food,” adds Mr Ho.

Coming on board this year is Hao Ren Hao Shi, a charity that operates four grocery trucks every Saturday – serving about 2,500 families per month. Hao Ren Hao Shi also has two community marts open on Wednesdays and Sundays that support another 900 families.

Founder Anson Ng says that by partnering with FairPrice Group, he not only hopes to reduce operating costs but to also allow the charity to provide healthier staples for its beneficiaries. The collaboration will also open up access to a wider variety of Halal-certified products, he says, which have previously been difficult to purchase due to higher prices and limited availability.

“We serve a range of vulnerable groups, including terminally ill patients and persons with disabilities living in rental flats,” says Mr Ng. “But it costs a lot to maintain this model – each of my four grocery trucks costs about $4,000 to run every Saturday, which adds up to $16,000 per Saturday.”

Mr Ng notes that nutritious items such as brown rice are highly valued by beneficiaries but are often too expensive to include regularly. “This partnership with FairPrice Group will help me provide healthier options for my beneficiaries,” he adds.

However, beyond the dollars and logistics, it is the joy and gratitude of the people he can continue to serve that make it all worthwhile for Mr Ng – and what excites him most about joining the A Full Plate family.

“It’s the smiles that mean the most,” he says. “For those who’ve asked me for brown rice or snacks for their grandchildren – I can finally say yes.”

Visit FairPrice Group’s A Full Plate page online

for more information and to make a donation today.