'K-Immunity Meal Project' Gyeongbuk Province Develops Specialized Farmhouse Restaurant Menus in Each City and County

Photo provided by Gyeongbuk Province.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Jae-ho] The Gyeongsangbuk-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services announced on the 19th that it will promote the 'Farmhouse Restaurant Specialized Table Project' to revitalize rural dining businesses that combine agricultural products and local food culture as part of efforts to improve local livelihoods.

The Gyeongbuk Agricultural Research and Extension Services plans to collaborate with universities to develop and brand 'one specialized table menu per city/county' that reflects regional characteristics, and based on this, establish an online delivery service system such as lunch boxes and meal kits that urban residents can conveniently use at home in preparation for the post-COVID-19 era.

Additionally, they plan to create a complex food culture space with healing functions (open kitchen, photo zone, outdoor deck facilities, etc.) and expand it into a 'Gyeongbuk Foodie Tour.'

To this end, they secured an additional budget of 1 billion KRW this year and will respond to COVID-19 by developing specialized table recipes and products necessary for establishing delivery services at 25 farmhouse restaurants and local food establishments within the province to revive local livelihoods.

Since 2010, the Gyeongbuk Agricultural Research and Extension Services has fostered 25 farmhouse-style dining businesses in the province, each generating an average income of 70 million KRW, contributing to the revitalization of the local economy. However, due to social distancing measures caused by COVID-19, sales dropped by 75% last year, dealing a significant blow.

Shin Yong-seup, Director of the Gyeongbuk Agricultural Research and Extension Services, stated, "We will do our utmost to increase the income of agriculture and rural areas and revive livelihoods through the farmhouse restaurant project." He added, "We hope that this food curator training will be an opportunity to cultivate professionals who can promote and develop the excellent food culture of the Gyeongbuk region."