406 Tons of Unused School Meal Ingredients... Government to Assist with Sales

Urgent Support Measures for Eco-Friendly Agricultural Products in School Meals 추진

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Due to the nationwide delay in the opening of elementary, middle, and high schools caused by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) situation, farms and companies producing and distributing agricultural products for school meals have also been put on high alert. The government has actively stepped in to support by promoting discounted sales of these food ingredients and providing agricultural product packages to those in self-quarantine.

On the 22nd, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that it will support the sales of 51 agricultural product items totaling 406 tons, which are highly likely to suffer damage due to the suspension of school meals caused by the additional delay in school openings. This measure was prepared to minimize negative impacts such as disruption of sales channels and price drops that may occur if the school opening is further delayed amid the current situation where prices of eco-friendly agricultural products are falling due to the suspension of school meals.

The Ministry estimates that the items with concentrated production in spring and low storability, which suffer significant damage, include 10 items such as leafy vegetables and fruit vegetables totaling 173 tons, while items with relatively smaller production scale or some degree of storability include 41 items totaling 233 tons.

First, eco-friendly agricultural product packages will be sold at a discount both in online shopping malls and offline stores, with a 20% discount sales amount supported. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Eco-friendly Agricultural Products Mandatory Fund Management Committee will jointly organize this, cooperating with local governments and private distribution companies to sequentially implement 20% discounted sales of school meal agricultural products online and offline starting from the 24th.

The 10 items with significant damage (143 tons) will be sold mainly online in packages in cooperation with distribution companies such as 11st, while the 41 items (233 tons) will be sold at a discount at large retailers such as E-mart and cooperatives.

In addition, about 10,000 people nationwide who are in COVID-19 self-quarantine will be provided with 30 tons of eco-friendly agricultural products packaged in 3kg portions. Furthermore, promotional and advertising expenses will be supported for stores such as large marts and cooperatives, and the Ministry is reviewing lowering loan interest rates for direct transaction funds to revitalize direct transactions of eco-friendly agricultural products.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.