Community Shop

Community Shop

About This Programme

Piloted in February 2020 at Mountbatten, the Community Shop programme operates on a 'shop-for-free' concept, where our beneficiaries are empowered with the dignity of choice to redeem up to 14 food items every month.

The programme represents our long-term vision for food support, where we provide our beneficiaries with targeted food aid and improved access to fresh and nutritious food, enabling them to maintain a healthier diet. Beneficiaries enjoy the experience of shopping and interactions with volunteers and their neighbours.

Currently, we have a network of five Community Shops, located in Mountbatten, Boon Lay, Lengkok Bahru, Punggol, and Chong Pang. They are open on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday (and Sunday at Boon Lay only) from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Find their locations here.

Redemption Process

Each Community Shop is stocked with essential staples, including rice, noodles, cooking oil, canned food, bread spread, biscuits, oats, milk, eggs, and fresh produce. It provides our beneficiaries with a shopping experience where they get to see the range of products available, compare them, and choose what they want to bring home.

Each month, beneficiaries can choose 12 non-perishable food items, eggs, and two types of leafy vegetables. They can visit the Shop on multiple occasions throughout the month.

The redemption process is seamless via a QR code scanning checkout system, using the beneficiary’s Food from the Heart card.

Technology Adoption and Enhanced Human Touch

Through the QR code scanning checkout system, Food from the Heart can digitally gather data on the consumption, needs and patterns of our beneficiaries. With such insights, we will also gain a more nuanced understanding of our beneficiaries' dietary habits, which will help shape the future landscape of our food distribution efforts.

On the other end, the Shop serves as an avenue for community building. Coming to the Shop gives our elderly beneficiaries a reason to get out of their homes to have more interaction with others, creating opportunities for the community to look out for one another. During its operational hours, they are fully run by our team of dedicated volunteers.

24/7 Food Drop

We aim to establish an integrated ecosystem that connects donors, sponsors, volunteers, and beneficiaries. Each Community Shop has a food drop, which allows donors to drop off food donations at the Shop at any time of the day. This spirit of giving helps to keep the kampung spirit alive within the neighbourhood.

Get in touch to find out how you can get involved with the Community Shop or check out wish list items to donate to the Shops.

The Community Shop concept also results in less food waste as the beneficiaries are likely to finish all the items they chose themselves.

Join Our Giving Circle

With strong support from our partner OCBC, Food from the Heart opened our first two Community Shops—Mountbatten and Boon Lay. Earlier this year, we expanded to Chong Pang with help from BNP Paribas.

In March 2023, we partnered with Resorts World Sentosa to launch RWS Eat Well @ Community Shop, to provide improved and sustainable access to fresh and nutritious food for our beneficiaries. Through this initiative, the integrated resort pledged $300,000 to stock our Shops with locally sourced vegetables and eggs for a period of three years.

To continue improving our giving and providing more choice to our beneficiaries, we are actively seeking sponsors to join us in addressing food insecurity in vulnerable communities. Enquire today to find out more about supporting our programmes. We also invite community partners interested in having a Community Shop in your estates to get in touch with us.