Analysis on Management of School Lunch Program in Korea: Focus on the Adaption of Korean Traditional Food

Abstract

This research focuses on the role of school-lunch program in inheriting the traditional dietary culture of South Korea. Firstly, the historical trace of school-lunch program of Korea from its beginning point was examined in order to investigate the food policies background of rice being a staple food of the school meals. Secondly, menus of seven Korean elementary schools located in the city areas are analyzed based on the bansang structure which is known to be Korean traditional menu pattern. Lastly, five nutrition teachers and one nutritionist from six different elementary schools were interviewed in 2015 and 2016. Although school lunch program was originally designed for the healthy growth of the children, the contents of school meals were determined more by surplus food than ideas about healthy diets. The chief motive behind the adoption of rice as a staple food in school meals and the rapid development of the lunch program was closely related to the overproduction of rice, which has been an issue since the 1980s in Korea. Today, however, the rice-centered school lunches are perceived as an important educational tool from the view point of preserving Korean dietary culture. The interviewees recognized that their role was to provide school children with opportunities to experience the traditional Korean food culture.