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School Milk Program, Republic of Korea
Providing nutritious dairy products to
students across the country since 1981
Location
Republic of Korea
Number of children
574,000
Age range
7-18 years
Timing
1981-present
Program overview
Republic of Korea school milk program in place since 1981, developed in cooperation with Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (MAFRA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education & Korea Dairy Committee, with the aim of improving the physical condition of young people and expanding milk consumption to promote the stable growth of the local dairy sector.
The program provides school milk to students from families identified as low-income, such as beneficiaries of the national basic livelihood allowances, and subsidizes institutional meal service providers.
School children aged between 7-18 years are provided with 200ml of fluid milk on each school milk day, along with other dairy products.
Type of products
Fluid milk, fermented milk & cheese
Stakeholder engaged
Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs, Ministry of Education & Korea Dairy Committee
Additional details
A school milk program in place for almost 40 years, the project encompasses 574,000 students in the Republic of Korea, which includes students from families of beneficiaries of the national basic livelihood allowances and low-income families.
Students aged between 7-18 years are provided with 200ml of fluid milk on each school milk day, which equates to around 250 days per year, and includes school holidays. Fermented milk and cheese are also provided.
In total, the project has cost KRW 61,693 million (Fund 37,016, local cost 24,677). These support conditions originates from 60% livestock development fund, 40% local costs.
Funding is provided according to means, with 60% self-paid by families, with the program free for low-income bracket (574,000 students or 40%).
Organisation
Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (MAFRA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education & Korea Dairy Committee
Monitoring criteria
The country-wide school milk program developed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (MAFRA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education & Korea Dairy Committee is monitored based on guidelines set by the government.
Overall 9,498 schools participate in school milk program, equating to 79% of those in the country (the total number of schools: 12,039) and 2.7 million students receive school milk, equating to 50.3% of the total student population (total number of students is 5.7 million).
Dietary Guidelines
In 1991, the national dietary guidelines were first published by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. In 2002-2003, general and age-based guidelines were announced and revised in 2008-2009. In 2016, the General Dietary Guidelines for Koreans were established as common guidelines of inter-government ministries. The Guidelines integrate the consumption of well-balanced nutrients, healthy diet and Korean-style dietary patterns, and safety on dietary life.
The Korean Nutrition Society developed the ‘Food Balance Wheels’ which represent recommended proportions of five food groups, as well as
the importance of regular physical activity. Recommendations for milk & dairy products: fluid milk 200ml, processed milk 180ml, fermented milk 80g, cheese 15g or more.
Further links
Further information on this program is available via the following links, or you can contact by email:
