The ruling party and government to supply agricultural product packages to student households from May... Minimizing COVID-19 damage to farms

Lee In-young, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The Democratic Party of Korea and the government will launch the 'Produce Package Support Project' to supply agricultural products to student households starting in May. This measure aims to reduce the damage to farms caused by the suspension of school meals due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lee In-young, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the 'Elementary and Secondary School Household Agricultural Produce Package Support Project Party-Government Meeting' held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 27th, "With the delay of school openings due to COVID-19, school meals have also been suspended. If school meals are suspended for a month, 51 items totaling 812 tons of agricultural products will lose their sales channels," adding, "I believe the agricultural produce package support project will be a practical measure."

He continued, "Eight provinces and cities including Seoul and Gyeonggi have agreed to participate, but I understand that some local governments are hesitant due to budget shortages and other practical issues," and said, "I hope a way will open for other regions to participate as well."

Cho Jung-sik, chairman of the Democratic Party Policy Committee, said, "The Democratic Party promised on the 10th to promote the agricultural produce package project by utilizing unused school meal budgets to alleviate farmers' damage and pain," adding, "Once the promotion plan is finalized through today's party-government meeting, agricultural produce packages will be supplied starting in May."

Kim Hyun-soo, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "Due to the suspension of school meals caused by the delay in school openings, 2,000 tons of eco-friendly agricultural products are being damaged weekly," adding, "We are resolving the damaged volume by securing sales channels for 1,645 tons through campaigns to purchase eco-friendly agricultural products, but additional measures are needed."

Yoo Eun-hye, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, said, "We have been reviewing ways to utilize the budget allocated for school meals," adding, "The voluntary participation of education offices and local governments, which are the financial sources for free school meals, is important. We expect the package project to expand nationwide."

She also said, "The Ministry of Education is preparing for school reopening and thoroughly preparing school quarantine measures," adding, "We will do our best to ensure safe meals are provided even after school reopens."

Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, who attended the party-government meeting, said, "Although we have minimized damage to eco-friendly agricultural product suppliers through drive-thru and other methods, there was no way to prevent crop disposal," adding, "I appreciate the party for creating sales channels. Gyeonggi Province will actively cooperate."

Lee Jae-jung, Superintendent of Education of Gyeonggi Province, said, "In the case of Gyeonggi Province, the unused school meal budget currently amounts to 176 billion won," adding, "I believe the package project will be a solution."

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