"Supporting Food Security for Vulnerable Groups"
Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province began accepting applications for the 2026 Agricultural and Food Voucher Program on December 22, aiming to support food security for vulnerable groups.
According to the province on December 30, the Agricultural and Food Voucher Program is a food assistance initiative that enables households receiving basic livelihood benefits to purchase domestically produced agricultural and livestock products. Starting next year, both the scope of eligible recipients and the support period will be significantly expanded, providing more comprehensive nutritional support.
In 2025, only households with pregnant women, infants, or children under 18 years old were eligible. However, from next year, eligibility will be extended to households that include young adults aged 34 or younger. As a result, the number of beneficiary households is expected to increase significantly from approximately 5,436 to about 9,440.
The voucher support period will also be extended from the current 10 months to 12 months, allowing eligible households to purchase fresh domestic agricultural and livestock products stably throughout the year.
The range of items that can be purchased with the voucher will also be diversified. In addition to the existing categories-domestic fruits and vegetables, white milk, fresh eggs, meat, grains, and tofu-forest products such as chestnuts, pine nuts, and walnuts will newly be included, giving users a wider selection.
Applications can be made by visiting the local Eup, Myeon, or Dong Administrative Welfare Center, through the Agricultural and Food Voucher website, or by calling the ARS phone line. Households already using the voucher in 2025 will automatically continue to receive the benefit in 2026 without needing to reapply, provided they still meet the eligibility requirements.
Vouchers can be used at over 2,253 designated stores in the province starting January 2, 2026.
The province will also provide nutrition education for voucher recipients. This education will be operated through the Food Integration Support Center of the Jeonbuk Institute for Bioindustry Convergence, focusing on helping voucher users practice healthy eating habits and make nutritious food choices.
Min Sunshik, Director of the Agricultural and Livestock Industry Bureau of the province, stated, "By expanding the Agricultural and Food Voucher Program, we aim to further strengthen food support for vulnerable groups while also contributing to increased consumption of local agricultural products. We encourage eligible households to apply as soon as possible so that they can start using the vouchers from January next year."
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