Yangcheon-gu will launch the "2026 Eco-Friendly Agricultural Produce Support Project for Pregnant Women" to promote the healthy development of the next generation and ease the burden of childbirth and child-rearing, district mayor Lee Gi-jae said.
The project resumes four years after a pilot program ended in 2022. It aims to provide safe, nutritious food to pregnant women, expand consumption of eco-friendly produce, and foster a food environment where producers and consumers benefit together.
Eligible recipients are pregnant women or mothers who gave birth on or after Jan. 1, 2025, and are registered residents of Yangcheon-gu at the time of application. A total of 1,064 recipients will be selected, each receiving up to 240,000 won ($159) worth of eco-friendly produce annually. Recipients cover 20 percent of the purchase price and may choose from organic vegetables, pesticide-free produce, processed organic foods and antibiotic-free livestock products, with delivery to their home or any preferred address.
Orders may be placed up to four times per month, with each order ranging from 40,000 won to 100,000 won. Recipients may use their support allowance through Dec. 15. However, those already receiving support under the public health center's Nutrition Plus program or the agricultural food voucher program's "pregnant household" category are not eligible for duplicate benefits.
Applications open Monday at 10 a.m. and close Aug. 2 at 6 p.m. through the online integrated mall Eco eMall. Those who have difficulty applying online — including people with disabilities and foreign nationals — may apply in person at their local community center. In-person applicants must bring a copy of their resident registration certificate issued within the past three months and documentation confirming pregnancy or childbirth.
The district will select recipients by lottery in August and notify them individually. For more information, visit the Eco eMall website or contact the Parks and Green Space Division.
Yangcheon-gu offers tailored support at each stage from pregnancy planning through childbirth and child-rearing. Key programs include fertility examination cost support, the Nutrition Plus project for vulnerable pregnant women and infants, and the Haenuri Baby Goods Rental Shop, which lends essential childcare items. Information on all related programs is available through the "Yangcheon-gu All-Care Book" on the district's public health center website or at any local community center.
"Supporting the healthy diet of pregnant women and new mothers is paramount to making Yangcheon a great place to have and raise children," district mayor Lee said. "I hope this project not only safeguards the health of mothers and their children, but also invigorates the local economy by boosting consumption of eco-friendly produce."
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