Seoul Jung-gu Provides Top-Level Support for Daycare Meal and Snack Costs in Seoul City

Providing Eco-Friendly Nutritious Meals with Top-Level Meal and Snack Support in Seoul

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jung-gu, Seoul (Mayor Seoyangho) is putting effort into various meal and snack improvement projects to provide the highest quality food to children in the area.

Among these efforts, the 'Jung-gu Style Eco-friendly Menu,' which converts all daycare center menus in the area to eco-friendly food and significantly enhances nutritional content, is gaining great popularity through word of mouth among parents and childcare teachers.

Sometimes, poor meal quality becomes a controversial issue, and many children are sensitive to environmental factors such as atopy and asthma, so parents have many concerns when entrusting their children to daycare centers.

In response, Jung-gu, leveraging its pioneering experience as the first in Seoul to directly operate public daycare centers, has decided to invest in the health of children who will lead the future by providing eco-friendly meals and snacks.

To this end, since September last year, the district developed the 'Jung-gu Style Eco-friendly Menu' using eco-friendly ingredients through multiple rounds of consultations with daycare center officials, cooks, childcare teachers, and the professional nutrition team of the Jung-gu Children’s Meal Support Center.

In the 'Jung-gu Style Eco-friendly Menu,' staple foods such as rice are used as a base, and key ingredients like antibiotic-free meat and dairy products are sourced eco-friendly.

Additionally, essential nutrients necessary for growth and development, such as protein and calcium, are strengthened, and soups and side dishes are adjusted to minimize sodium intake. Compared to before, one more side dish is added, and nutritious desserts such as seasonal fruits or yogurt for toddlers are provided daily.

To match these menu changes, a 'Jung-gu Style Healthy Tray' with four side dishes, an evolution from the previous three-side dish tray, was created and supplied to all daycare centers to help children enjoy a variety of foods and develop proper eating habits during early childhood while ensuring sufficient nutrition for healthy growth.

The meal support budget was also raised to the highest level in Seoul. Last year, the average cost of meal ingredients per daycare center in Jung-gu was 2,500 KRW, exceeding the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s standard of 1,745 KRW, but starting this year, the meal budget was significantly increased to around 4,000 KRW per day. This reflects the district’s proactive commitment to caring for the health of children who will lead the future.

The improved menu will continuously incorporate feedback from children, instructors, and parents to address any shortcomings and reflect them in meal services.

Furthermore, regular inspections and supervision will be conducted to strengthen the stability of meal operations.

Also, as hygiene awareness has solidified due to COVID-19, the district plans to improve overall cooking facilities and kitchen environments in daycare centers. In addition, a new allowance for cooks’ welfare will be established and paid monthly, and additional cooking assistants will be deployed to improve the poor working conditions in kitchens.

Seoyangho, Mayor of Jung-gu, said, "We will not only provide the safest food and highly nutritious menus to support the highest level of daycare meals and snacks but also enhance the quality and public nature of childcare services to create a Jung-gu where parents can raise their children with peace of mind."

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