Ulsan to provide eco-friendly produce packages to 3,500 pregnant women

Ulsan is launching a project to distribute eco-friendly produce packages to pregnant women as part of efforts to address the low birth rate and expand consumption of environmentally friendly farm products.

The city will select 3,500 pregnant women to receive packages worth 240,000 won ($156) each. Recipients pay only 20 percent of the total cost, or 48,000 won. Each package consists of organic produce, pesticide-free agricultural products, antibiotic-free livestock products and organically processed foods.

Eligibility is limited to pregnant women whose registered address is in Ulsan, including mothers who gave birth on or after Jan. 1 last year and women currently pregnant as of the application date. Those already receiving support through the agricultural food voucher program or the nutrition-plus program are excluded.

Applications are accepted from June 29 through July 10 via the online integrated mall at www.ecoemall.com or in person at the community service center in the applicant's registered neighborhood. Results will be announced to individual applicants in mid-July. Those selected will receive support points worth 192,000 won redeemable at NongHyup Mall, a dedicated online shopping platform.

A city official encouraged eligible residents to apply, saying the project would benefit the health of pregnant women and families with newborns while also helping expand consumption of eco-friendly agricultural products.