Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) operates the Children's Meal Management Support Center in Deokjin District, Jeonju City, and the center ran a program to prevent picky eating and held an awards ceremony. (Center Director Professor Noh Jeong‑ok)

The Children's Meal Management Support Center conducted the specialized project for parents and children, "Parents and Children Together: Exploring Ingredients to Prevent Picky Eating," from January through December and held the photo contest awards ceremony on the 19th.

In the photo contest, four infants and young children who participated in the program, including Park Da‑won (Yeppeun Umji Childcare Center), received awards.

To operate a program that helps infants and young children become familiar with vegetables at home with their parents, the Children's Meal Management Support Center selected vegetables known to prevent picky eating, such as spinach, eggplant, carrots, and broccoli.

The center also provided an educational program using activity sheets that included hidden‑picture searches, puzzle solving, colored‑paper folding (origami), and coloring, followed by a cooking experience.

A parent who participated in the program said, 'It was a useful program that allowed my child to try eating vegetables on their own and become interested,' and added, 'I definitely want to participate in the next educational program to prevent picky eating.'

Center Director Noh Jeong‑ok said, 'During infancy and early childhood, as cognitive abilities and self‑identity develop, food preferences and eating habits are formed, so we hope this provided an opportunity to eliminate children's aversion to vegetables and allow them to become familiar with them,' and added, 'We ask for continued interest in and participation in the center's programs.'

Meanwhile, the Children's Meal Management Support Center operates for children's meal sites that are not required to employ a nutritionist. It is operated with support from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Jeollabuk‑do, and Jeonju City to promote children's health through systematic hygiene and nutrition management of group meal services.