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It may not be true that poor-quality ingredients are being used at coffee shops offering budget meals ( , July 24). If budget meals can attract large numbers of regular customers, the stall operators will enjoy economies of scale and waste less food than other food stalls with poor business, and they won’t have to cut corners. Where there are several coffee shops and a hawker centre in the same area, the quality of food is of a high standard and prices are reasonable due to keen competition. There are some stalls in coffee shops selling “economy rice” at affordable prices. You can get a plate of rice with vegetables and meat for $3.50. The stalls normally have several vegetable, egg, chicken and pork dishes cooked in different ways. There is enough variety to choose from, making for a balanced meal. Of course, it is cheaper to prepare seafood like fish and prawns at home. We are fortunate that in Singapore, we can get our meals at hawker centres and coffee shops. In some countries, people may frown upon your dining in such places. In many Western countries, you would also pay a lot more for your food, with a small portion of spaghetti or pizza selling for at least $10 a serving.