Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Industry-University Cooperation (Director Son Jeong-min) has been appointed as the entrusted operating agency for the Jeonju Deokjin‑gu Child and Social Welfare Meal Management Support Center. JBNU announced that it recently signed a formal agreement for the entrusted operation on the 17th.

Under the agreement, JBNU Industry-University Cooperation will provide hygiene, safety, and nutrition management services to 270 child and social welfare meal facilities in Deokjin‑gu that do not have nutritionists, from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2030, a five-year period. Through this, it plans to act as the region's 'premier provider of safe and healthy meal support' for vulnerable groups.

Since 2014, JBNU has operated the Jeonju Deokjin‑gu Child Meal Management Support Center, contributing to the promotion of healthy dietary habits among children and adolescents. From 2026, the scope of support will be further expanded to provide integrated nutrition and meal management to users of local social welfare facilities, including the elderly and persons with disabilities.

Noh Jeong‑ok, Center Director (Professor, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, JBNU), said, 'As we relaunch under a new system, together with team leaders and members, we will actively support children, youth, the elderly, and persons with disabilities—vulnerable groups in the community—to ensure healthier and safer dietary practices.' She added, 'We will strengthen cooperation with related organizations to establish the center as a contributor to community development.'

Meanwhile, the Jeonju Deokjin‑gu Child and Social Welfare Meal Management Support Center operates with the support of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the Jeollabuk Provincial Government, and Jeonju City, based on Article 21 of the Special Act on Children’s Dietary Safety Management and Article 5 of the Act on Support for Meal Safety at Social Welfare Facilities for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities.