In the 2006 assessment of cities and provinces, Gyeonggi Province was selected as the best organization in terms of making improvements to its food culture and encouraging healthy menu planning, activities which were conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Shin Gwang-ho from the Department of Health and Hygiene Policies, Gyeonggi Provincial Government, is to be presented with the presidential award.

Siheung City was selected as the best organization. Kim Yong-seon from Sangnok-gu, Ansan, and Kim Seon-il from Wonmi-gu, Bucheon won the award of the Minister of Health and Welfare. In the private sector, Gwangreung Dolsotbap (restaurant owner: Park Gui-rye) in Namyangju won the Minister’s award.

The prize-awarding ceremony will be held at the grand conference hall, Private School Teachers’ Pension Building, Yeouido, on September 18, and the Department of Health and Hygiene Policies, Gyeonggi Provincial Government will be presented with the prize and make presentation of best practices, on behalf of cities and provinces of Korea.

Officials of Gyeonggi Province said, “The province was highly recognized thanks to the visible results we have achieved through a variety of projects. The aim of these projects was to save food resources, prevent environmental pollution, and create a healthy and economical food culture by eliminating the eating habits that produce food waste, and changing the culture of “over-serving”. Thanks to these efforts, the province succeeded in reaching a social consensus on the imperative of improving our food culture.”

In 2006, the province launched a long-term loan program, with the low interest rate of 1%, for hotels and restaurants to invest in improving their sanitary conditions and facilities. This program was remarkable, in that it was the first of its kind to be offered in Korea. The Province also encouraged restaurants to stop the use of sharp scissors, and dirty wet towels, earning positive reactions from the industry.

Gyeonggi Province has played a leading role in successfully improving the food culture through a wide range of special projects, including a contest for the ideal food culture street, an award for the best restaurant in Gyeonggi Province, a festival for confectionary and baking businesses in Gyeonggi Province, promotion of R&D on traditional food of Gyeonggi Province, selection and support for the best school cafeteria in improving food culture and preventing food poisoning, and operation of programs to improve eating habits and nutritional awareness.