Middle-aged and Older Single-person Households Start Social Dining 'Happy Bapsang' in 10 Districts... Targeting 1,000 People

Middle-aged and Older Single-person Households at High Risk of Chronic Diseases Improve Eating Habits with Seasonal and Healthy Ingredients 'Cooking Class'
Community Kitchens and Rural Experience Activities Accompany Communication and Exchange Programs by District to Restore Social Networks

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government is launching a social dining program called 'Happy Table' this month, where middle-aged and older single-person households gather to cook and share meals using seasonal and healthy ingredients.

On the 6th, Seoul announced that through 'Happy Table,' it plans to improve the dietary habits of middle-aged and older single-person households, who face high risks of chronic diseases and difficulties in forming social networks, while alleviating loneliness and isolation through communication and interaction centered around food, thereby contributing to the restoration of social networks.

There are 450,000 middle-aged and older single-person households (aged 40 to 64) living in Seoul, accounting for 32% of all single-person households. According to a 2021 survey by the Korean Society of Food and Nutrition, middle-aged and older single-person households show higher prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome (33.7% vs. 23.7% in multi-person households), hypertension (45.2% vs. 36.1%), and hypertriglyceridemia (52.5% vs. 33.5%) compared to multi-person households. Additionally, those with lower incomes (especially below 2 million KRW per month) tend to neglect health management and are vulnerable to forming social networks.

Seoul plans to pilot the program this year targeting 1,000 participants across 10 autonomous districts selected through a demand survey, with plans to expand it later. In January, Seoul selected 10 districts interested in participating: Gwangjin-gu, Yangcheon-gu, Seongbuk-gu, Mapo-gu, Seodaemun-gu, Gwanak-gu, Yongsan-gu, Jung-gu, Gangseo-gu, and Dobong-gu.

Happy Table consists of a ‘Cooking Class’ where participants prepare meals using seasonal and healthy ingredients, along with various unique supplementary programs tailored to each district, such as rural experience activities. The ‘Cooking Class’ is conducted in collaboration with specialized institutions like Healthy Family Support Centers and Women’s Plazas to enhance professionalism and quality. The curriculum includes practical content such as simple recipes for single-person households, healthy cooking using seasonal and eco-friendly ingredients, and customized recipes based on chronic diseases, gender, and age. Ingredient kits matching the lecture topics will be provided to ensure even participants unfamiliar with cooking can join without difficulty.

Participants will also receive activity incentives to boost motivation and promote effective dietary improvements. Meals and side dishes prepared during class can be taken home. Regular ‘Food Sharing Meetings’ will be held where participants share and evaluate the dishes they made, and outstanding participants will receive small prizes.

Supplementary programs running alongside the ‘Cooking Class’ include various communication activities centered on food. The goal is to provide middle-aged and older single-person households with opportunities to naturally share interests and experiences, thereby alleviating feelings of isolation and loneliness and fostering healthy social networks. For example, Seongbuk-gu will conduct ‘Rural Experience Activities’ in collaboration with the Return-to-Farming and Rural Migration Center. Jung-gu plans to hold events where participants share homemade meals with elderly residents living alone in the community. Gwangjin-gu intends to compile the recipes learned in the cooking classes into a ‘Healthy Table Recipe Book.’

Lee Hae-seon, Head of Seoul’s Special Task Force for Single-Person Households, said, “Unlike general cooking courses, Happy Table is tailored specifically for middle-aged and older single-person households, and we expect it to help improve their dietary habits and foster social networks, especially given their high risk of chronic diseases. Seoul will continue to provide meticulous support so that middle-aged and older single-person households can maintain healthy eating habits and sustain ongoing communication.”

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