By Park Jong-il, The Herald Business Seoul's Seongdong-gu district is launching an eco-friendly produce purchasing support program for 1,120 pregnant and postpartum residents, aimed at promoting healthy eating habits among expectant mothers and boosting consumption of environmentally friendly agricultural products.
Under the program, eligible participants receive 240,000 won ($161) in annual support toward eco-friendly produce purchases. Beneficiaries cover only 20% of the cost — 48,000 won — while the district subsidizes the remaining 80%, or 192,000 won, with fresh, certified eco-friendly produce delivered directly to their homes.
Applications are open to pregnant women and mothers who gave birth on or after Jan. 1, 2025, who are registered residents of Seongdong-gu as of the application date. Those already receiving benefits through public health center nutrition-plus programs or agricultural food vouchers for pregnant women are not eligible for duplicate support.
Applications are accepted online through the eco-friendly produce shopping platform Eco-E Mall until 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 28. Those unable to apply online may submit the required documents in person at the district's local economy division at Seongdong-gu Office.
The district will verify applicants' residency and eligibility before selecting 1,120 recipients by random lottery. Results will be announced to individual applicants by Aug. 11, with eco-friendly produce deliveries beginning in mid-August and continuing through the end of the year.
Seongdong-gu District Mayor Yoo Bo-hwa said she hopes the program will support healthy pregnancies and postpartum recovery while also helping eco-friendly farms expand their market reach. "We will continue working to build a Seongdong where children are raised well, so that both mothers and children can enjoy healthy and happy lives," she said.
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