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The Seoul Office of Education has launched new initiatives in South Korea, building on the success of its eco-friendly school meals. Major improvements include a greater variety of vegetarian meals, and education that promotes the use of carbon-neutral foods.
Demands for ‘food conversion’ are growing, both socially and within an educational framework. In February of this year, the Office of Education conducted an inquiry to better understand the climate crisis and how food impacts it. Findings have been used to develop a three-year ‘Food Ecology Conversion Education Mid-Term Development Plan’, which will run until the end of 2024.
A shift in South Korea’s attitude to food
Traditional Korean cuisines include meat and it is a valued part of daily life. According to reports, South Korea’s total meat sales reached a record high in 2018. 2.55 million tonnesThe number is expected to continue rising until at least 2023. 1.24 tonnes of the 2.55million tonnes were pork, which was most likely imported. Meat-free product sales increased in 2018, but have since slowed down. It is important to educate future consumers about the benefits of meat-free products.
The survey surveyed 12,332 Seoul schoolchildren, parents, and staff members about the climate crisis as well as food-related issues. 92.6 percent of respondents knew that the crisis could lead to food shortages and insecurity. 90.6 percent of participants acknowledged that food production has an impact on climate change, while 68.4 per cent believed that eating less meat would lower carbon emissions and have positive impacts. 55.5 percent went on to claim they would be interested in ‘intermittent vegetarianism’. 30% of respondents stated that they already try to eat less meat.
Based on these findings, the Office of Education placed four principles at the core of its midterm plan. The principles of food literacy, carbon neutrality as well as climate-friendly food, cooperation within the region, and collaboration are all mentioned. Numerous programs are being developed to engage school students and expand existing nutrition education.
“It is important for Seoul students to grow as citizens who actively participate in eth formation of the food system, not passive consumers who accept the food system as it is,” Hee-yeon Cho, superintendent of education in Seoul, said in a statement. “We will support them so that they can grow as citizens of agriculture who can think by connecting consumption with producers.”
Already, key improvements have been made. The ‘Green Meal’ vegetarian meal program that runs twice a month is being increased to four times, by 2024. The region has already seen 23 pilot schools offering plant-based options, and there will be 17 more by 2024. Future food engagement is essential, so eco-friendly school gardening projects are being investigated, along with climate food classes.
Could South Korea be ready to abandon conventional meat production?
It was revealed in 2020 that South Korea’s plant-based sceneIt was gaining momentum. Covid-19 was a catalyst for more diners choosing vegan and flexitarian diets in order to improve their personal health. In response, There are many companies that offer this service.They have worked to make plant-based replacements. Cultivated developments are ongoing for those that don’t want to exclude meat from their diets but would prefer a ‘cleaner’ option.
UnlimeatZikooin has created a vegan beef substitute called. It is made from upcycled grain and addresses food waste as well. The brand recently received a new logo. EntThe U.S. market was created in response to domestic success and international demand for authentic flavours, textures, and recipes that resemble traditional cuisine.
CJ CheilJedang has just announced a PartnershipWith biotech startup KCell, to get into the cultivated meat sector. The two companies are creating a competitive cell-culture medium that will enable rapid and cost-effective product launches. Busan has a specific facility built for this purpose.
Lead photo by Stephanie Hau on Unsplash.
