Committee of Supply 2021 debate, Day 5: Leong Mun Wai on a relook of hawker food as a source of cheap meals

The most pressing problem of the hawker trade is to replace an entire generation of hawkers whose median age is 60, said NCMP Leong Mun Wai on Thursday (Mar 4). He pointed to the inherent clash between providing affordable meals, which means low profitability, and attracting young Singaporeans into the industry. He suggested that instead of positioning hawker food as a source of cheap meals, the focus should be on the preservation of local food culture and recipes, much like the intellectual property in other industries. This will allow the hawker centre to evolve in tandem with society.