Gyeonggi Office of Education Expands Voluntary Choice Meal Program

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] The Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education is expanding 'cafeteria-style meals' to guarantee students' autonomy and choice.

Cafeteria-style meals are 'self-selective meals' where students autonomously choose and consume foods that meet nutritional standards, increasing satisfaction.

On the 21st, the Office of Education announced that it will operate a consultative body centered on nutrition teachers, dietitians, school administrators, and education support office staff to expand field-customized cafeteria-style meals.

The consultative body will gather opinions from the educational community through surveys and student councils and prepare specific operational methods considering school levels and serving methods.

In the second half of the year, about 10 pilot schools will be operated by school level and serving type, targeting 26 schools with self-serving operations and 11 schools with salad bars in the province.

The pilot schools will focus on ▲ nutrition and dietary education for forming proper eating habits ▲ student meals linked to the curriculum ▲ pilot operation of automated devices ▲ restructuring of facilities and equipment spaces ▲ personnel operation. The results of the operation will be shared in December to expand schools wishing to operate cafeteria-style meals.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the School Meal Cooperation Division at the Office of Education, emphasized, "We will expand cafeteria-style meals that respect students' autonomy and choice to increase their satisfaction with school meals," adding, "We will strive to provide school meals guaranteed in taste and quality through various meals that meet students' preferences and demands and healthy dietary education."

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