Hwasun County Raises Child Meal Subsidy This Year... Intensive Management During Winter Vacation

Meal Subsidy Raised to 10,000 Won per Meal
Addressing Gaps for Children at Risk of Skipping Meals

Children's meal lunchboxes being prepared by the Hwasun Regional Self-Sufficiency Center Lunchbox Project Team. Provided by Hwasun County

On January 6, Hwasun County in South Jeolla Province announced that it will raise the per-meal subsidy for child meal support in 2026 from the current 9,500 won to 10,000 won, in order to promote the healthy growth and stable nutrition of children from vulnerable groups at risk of skipping meals. During the winter vacation, the county plans to identify eligible children and provide intensive management, strengthening the support system to prevent any gaps in meal provision.

This increase in the meal subsidy reflects recent price hikes and the growing nutritional needs of children in their developmental years. The measure aims to provide more balanced meals and improve the quality of meal services for children at risk of skipping meals. Meals are delivered directly to the children by the Hwasun Regional Self-Sufficiency Center Lunchbox Project Team, which provides a variety of side dishes and accompaniments.

The child meal support program targets children under the age of 18 who are at risk of skipping meals because their guardians are unable to provide meals due to illness, accidents, or financial difficulties. The primary beneficiaries are children from vulnerable groups, including recipients of basic livelihood security, near-poverty households, and single-parent families.

In particular, Hwasun County will operate a focused period for identifying eligible children during the winter vacation, when school meals are suspended, to minimize meal gaps. The county also plans to further enhance guidance and publicity regarding applications for meal support.

Applications can be submitted at the local Eup or Myeon Administrative Welfare Centers in the applicant's area of residence. Not only guardians, but also neighbors or village heads who are familiar with the child's living conditions, may apply on behalf of the child.

Seo Bongseop, Director of Family Policy at Hwasun County, stated, "During the winter vacation, we will do our utmost to provide balanced side dishes and accompaniments to children at risk of skipping meals, so that every child can grow up healthy."