Gwangjin-gu Expands Support for Eco-Friendly School Meals from Kindergarten to Elementary, Middle, and High Schools

Gwangjin-gu Increases School Meal Support Rates, Introduces NON-GMO Subsidies... Enhancing Meal Quality to Promote Healthy Eating Habits for Growing Children and Adolescents

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gwangjin-gu is receiving positive responses this year by expanding and generously providing 'eco-friendly school meals' free of charge compared to last year.

The district, in collaboration with the Office of Education and Seoul City, supports food costs, management fees, and labor costs to help children and adolescents in their growth phase develop proper eating habits and realize universal welfare, while striving to improve the quality of school meals.

First, reflecting the consumer price index, the support unit price for school meals was increased this year. Food costs rose by 2.1%, management fees by 0.9%, and labor costs by 5.1% in line with the minimum wage increase.

Additionally, a new NON-GMO (minimizing the use of genetically modified foods) subsidy was established to provide safe and high-quality school meals.

Furthermore, following the revision of the School Meals Act, the support target for eco-friendly school meals has been expanded from elementary, middle, and high schools to include kindergartens, so 29 kindergartens will receive support this year, unlike last year.

The support targets are ▲29 kindergartens ▲22 elementary schools ▲13 middle schools ▲9 high schools ▲Seoul Gwangjin School, totaling 74 schools.

The 'Eco-friendly Rice Support,' which covers the price difference when purchasing eco-friendly rice compared to regular rice, will continue from last year. This support is fully funded by the district, and this year, with a budget increased by 38,186,000 KRW from last year, 19,582 students at 22 elementary schools and others will receive eco-friendly rice support for 192 days.