"Don't Skip, Eat Balanced Meals" ... Gimhae City Raises Dream Growth Card Meal Allowance for Food-Insecure Children to 7,000 Won per Meal

Gyeongnam Gimhae City Hall.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Gimhae City, Gyeongnam Province, will raise the meal allowance for children at risk of food insecurity to 7,000 KRW per meal.

The city announced on the 14th that it will increase the support by 1,000 KRW from 6,000 KRW per meal to reflect the inflation rate and to enable children to have higher quality meals.

Meal support for children at risk of food insecurity is provided to low-income children under the age of 18 who are recipients of public assistance or from single-parent households, and who may miss meals.

Currently, about 4,450 children in Gimhae City receive support through the Dream Jarum Card, an electronic meal card for children, and group meals at local children's centers.

The city explained that it introduced the Dream Jarum Card in 2012, allowing its use at 861 locations including local restaurants, marts, side dish stores, bakeries, and convenience stores, and is expanding the number of affiliated stores.

Mayor Hong Taeyong said, “With this increase in the meal allowance, we hope children at risk of food insecurity can have more balanced meals,” and added, “We will not spare our interest and support for the healthy growth of children.”