Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Industry-University Cooperation, which operates the Jeonju Deokjin-gu Center for Child and Social Welfare Meal Management Support (Center Director Noh Jeong‑ok, Professor, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, JBNU), successfully completed the experiential education program ‘Veggies Grow! Tasty Yum!’ to promote proper eating habits and prevent picky eating among local children.

The program, conducted in three stages from April to September this year, took place at the Jeonju Deokjin-gu Children’s Dietary Experience Center, the JBNU Natural History Museum, and registered local institutions. A total of 185 infants and young children from 10 local institutions (five facilities for ages 1–2 and five for ages 3–5) participated, receiving a strong response.

This program focused on mushrooms, a representative ingredient that children tend to avoid. Based on the Food Bridge theory, it was designed as a step-by-step experience in which children grow, observe, and cook mushrooms themselves to reduce aversion and increase familiarity.

The main activities were diversely organized to enhance educational effectiveness, including “Growing and Observing Mushrooms” using mushroom substrate, “Learning About Nature and Insects” that support mushroom growth, and exploratory activities using teaching aids as well as “Sensory Experiences and Cooking Activities” with real mushrooms.

A childcare teacher who participated in the training said, “The children felt a great sense of accomplishment as they harvested the mushrooms they grew and were able to share them with their families at home,” adding, “Aversion to mushrooms has decreased significantly, and children who were usually very picky have begun to eat mushrooms. We are grateful for the valuable education tailored to the children’s level.”

Center Director Noh Jeong‑ok emphasized, “Food Bridge is an effective method for guiding eating habits that helps children overcome picky eating by gradually adjusting the frequency and manner of exposure to ingredients,” and added, “I hope families continue the healthy eating habits learned at the center by using a variety of ingredients and enjoying meals together with their children to foster communication at home.”

Meanwhile, the Jeonju Deokjin-gu Center for Child and Social Welfare Meal Management Support operates with support from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the Jeollabuk-do Provincial Government, and the City of Jeonju in accordance with Article 21 of the Special Act on the Safety Management of Children's Dietary Life and Article 5 of the Act on Support for Meal Safety in Social Welfare Facilities for the Elderly, Persons with Disabilities, and Others. The center provides systematic hygiene, safety, and nutrition management services to meal service providers that are not required to employ a dietitian, and leads efforts to improve the level of community meal services.