'Hot' deal: 50-cent kopi and teh for elderly Singaporeans at NTUC Foodfare, Kopitiam outlets for 1 year
SINGAPORE — For a year-long period from July, members of the Pioneer and Merdeka generations, or Singaporeans who are in their 60s and 70s or older, can enjoy hot coffee or tea at a reduced price of 50 cents at all NTUC Foodfare and Kopitiam food courts and coffee shops on Wednesdays.
This translates to up to $1.30 savings for any cup of “kopi” or “teh”, including kopi-O, kopi-C, teh-O and teh-C, available across close to 100 food outlets, said NTUC Enterprise, National Trades Union Congress’ social enterprise arm, on Thursday (25 April).
NTUC union members will also be able to enjoy the same benefits every day for a month-long period from May. Subsequently, they can enjoy them on Wednesdays for a year from June.
The initiative, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the NTUC’s modernisation seminar, is set to benefit over 1.7 million people in Singapore, said NTUC Enterprise.
To qualify for the discount, customers must present their respective NTUC Union member, Merdeka and Pioneer Generation cards. Only one beverage can be redeemed per card.
“This is the first programme rolled out by NTUC Enterprise – leveraging the combined footprint of NTUC Foodfare and Kopitiam – following the completion of the acquisition of Kopitiam,” it added.
NTUC Enterprise acquired Kopitiam Investments and its subsidiaries for an undisclosed sum in January, adding Kopitiam’s 56 food courts, 21 coffeeshops, three hawker centres, and two central kitchens to its portfolio. NTUC Foodfare operates 14 food courts, 10 coffee shops, and nine hawker centres.
Speaking to reporters after a media briefing on Monday, NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng called the initiative “a token of appreciation” for those who have contributed to the country.
Affordable breakfast set
From 1 June, NTUC’s affordable breakfast set option will be made available at 52 outlets, up from 25, said the NTUC Enterprise in the statement.
The set, which comes with a cup of kopi or teh, toast and two soft boiled eggs, is priced from $1.80 for NTUC Union members and $2.20 for the public. In comparison, the average price of a similar set elsewhere in Singapore is $2.80, according to NTUC Enterprise.
NTUC Enterprise is also planning to have at least one Rice Garden stall, a social outreach programme of NTUC Foodfare, in every densely populated residential estate.
By the year-end, 55 Rice Garden stalls will be available, up from 45 currently, it added.
These stalls offer a mixed rice set, comprising one meat and two vegetable dishes, priced from $1.50 for ComCare and NTUC Foodfare Privilege cardholders; from $2 for senior citizens, students, full-time national servicemen and NTUC Union members; and from $2.70 for the public.
Last year, a total of 250,000 breakfast sets and 6.6 million mixed rice sets were sold, said NTUC Enterprise.
“The acquisition of Kopitiam further extends NTUC’s ability to make quality cooked food affordable and more widely accessible,” said Ng, who is also an MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, and NTUC President Mary Liew in the organisation’s Labour Movement May Day 2019 message on Thursday.
Last month, NTUC Enterprise pledged to freeze the prices of 100 FairPrice house brand products till June 2020, in an effort to help Singaporeans cope with possible price increases for everyday essentials.
Over half of the items – including cooking oil, rice and toiletries – also had their prices slashed by between 20 per cent and 38 per cent lower than comparable leading brands.
A Merdeka Generation discount was also announced last month, which would allow members to enjoy a three per cent discount on purchases at all FairPrice outlets on Wednesdays for a year-long period from July.
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