Haenam-gun Selected for Agricultural Food Voucher Pilot Project for '2 Consecutive Years'

Support for Purchasing Fresh Agricultural Products for Vulnerable Groups... Positive Response to Implementing Healthy Food Welfare

Haenam-gun is delivering agricultural food voucher packages. ⓒ Asia Economy

[Haenam＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun] Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do, has been selected for the second consecutive year as the only region in Jeollanam-do in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' '2022 Agricultural Food Voucher Pilot Project' competition, securing 1.3 billion KRW in national and other project funds.

According to the county on the 12th, the Agricultural Food Voucher Pilot Project provides electronic card-type vouchers that allow vulnerable groups with a median income below 50% to purchase domestic agricultural products such as vegetables, fruits, and meat. This year, 15 local governments nationwide were selected, among which Haenam-gun and Jangseong-gun in Jeollanam-do were chosen.

In particular, Haenam-gun, selected for the second time following last year, is expected to solidify a healthy food circulation system linked to the regional food plan and revitalize the local economy, which has been depressed due to COVID-19.

Approximately 4,600 households receiving benefits and in the lower-income bracket with median income below 50% will benefit, and the voucher amounts will be differentiated according to household size: 40,000 KRW for single-person households, 57,000 KRW for two-person households, 69,000 KRW for three-person households, and 80,000 KRW for four-person households, the same as last year. The support period is seven months from March to September.

Eligible recipients can apply by visiting their local eup/myeon office starting in February, and the voucher cards can be used to purchase fresh vegetables, fruits, white milk, eggs, meat, grains, honey, and more at local food direct stores and Nonghyup Hanaro Marts within the county.

Additionally, for those who have difficulty using the voucher cards directly, such as transportation-vulnerable individuals and elderly with mobility issues, a service delivering packages directly to each household will be provided concurrently.

Through last year's Agricultural Food Voucher Pilot Project, 4,010 households received 1.982 billion KRW in support, and for about 1,000 households including those with mobility difficulties and residents of welfare facilities, a service was implemented to deliver agricultural food packages once or twice a month to their homes in cooperation with the county's local food direct stores and Nonghyup Hanaro Marts, receiving great response.

A county official stated, "Being the only region in Jeollanam-do selected for two consecutive years in the Agricultural Food Voucher Pilot Project is expected to greatly help resolve nutritional imbalances for food-vulnerable groups and provide stable income guarantees for local small and medium farmers," adding, "We will do our best to maintain a sustainable food circulation system."

Haenam=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun kh0424@asiae.co.kr

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