Gijang-gun Selects Operator for Senior Dining Service... Strengthening Cooperation with Operator

Expected Model Creation through Operation of Model Route Restaurant

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] Busan Gijang-gun has selected consignment operators to run senior citizen cafeterias (free meal centers) in five towns and townships within the jurisdiction.

To ensure transparent selection of operators, the county publicly recruited consignment operators from December 21 last year to January 4 this year, and on January 25, through a selection review committee consisting of county council members and external experts, ‘Sadanbeobin Busan Bappero Sharing Community’ and ‘Daehan Yesugyo Jangrohoe Wolnae Joeun Church’ were finally selected, and a consignment contract was signed on the 17th.

Currently, the county is inspecting a fair and transparent operating system so that the consignment operators can devote themselves to community service and sharing activities, and plans to start full-scale operation from March.

The consignment operator selected, ‘Busan Bappero Sharing Community,’ is an organization that has been practicing the spirit of sharing by conducting free meal projects for homeless people and elderly living alone at Busan Station, Busanjin Station, Busan City Hall, etc., since the founding of the Busan Bappero Sharing Movement Headquarters in 2004.

Since 2021, it has been in charge of operating four senior citizen cafeterias in Gijang-eup, Jeonggwan-eup, Ilgwang-eup, and Cheolma-myeon, and with this re-selection as consignment operator, it will operate for three years until February 28, 2026.

‘Wolnae Joeun Church,’ which will be in charge of operating the Jang-an-eup senior citizen cafeteria, is a local church located in Gijang-gun that has operated the Jang-an-eup senior citizen cafeteria for more than 17 years and has practiced neighborly love by continuously delivering meals to elderly residents with mobility difficulties in the area.

It has been operating the Jang-an-eup senior citizen cafeteria since 2021, and with this re-selection as consignment operator, it will operate for three years until February 28, 2026.

A county official said, “We expect ‘Busan Bappero Sharing Community’ and ‘Wolnae Joeun Church’ to take the lead in senior welfare projects such as leisure and cultural activities and health promotion for the elderly in Gijang-gun based on their long experience,” adding, “We will strengthen cooperation with the consignment operators to ensure that the operation of senior citizen cafeterias becomes a nationwide model spreading throughout Busan.”

Gijang County Office.

Gijang-gun is a mixed urban-rural area with many natural villages scattered around, and as the elderly population is increasing, it has proactively operated free meal centers in each town and township to eliminate welfare blind spots.