By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
Seoul launched the Seoul Food Bank Center, Wednesday, for the more systematic and effective operation of food distribution for the needy in the capital.
The Seoul Council on Social Welfare, which has been operating food banks and markets for the poor, will run the center, located in Chang-dong, northern Seoul. There are currently 27 food banks and 25 food markets in operation in Seoul, with the food banks having distributed food worth 15 billion won ($13.5 million) last year.
``Food banks'' receive mostly non-perishable food items and other necessities from donor companies and individuals and provide them to welfare facilities and those in the low-income bracket unable to afford food. ``Food markets'' are similar to food banks but focus more on individuals and letting them take foodstuffs from the market free of charge.
``The Seoul Food Bank Center will enable the effective and premeditated distribution of donated food at the right time and in the right place,'' said Kim Joon-hyuck of Seoul Food Bank.
Local food banks are expected to cut distribution costs with the establishment of the center. Until now, most distribution centers for food banks were located in provincial areas and local food banks had to visit regional centers or each enterprise to obtain the donated food. ``With the central distribution center in Seoul, the local food banks will save time, labor and other expenses,'' Kim said.
Food banks will also transfer their surplus food to the center, which can re-distribute it to other needy food banks. The welfare council expects the center to contribute to the diversity, safety and transparency of items circulated in food banks.
``We built the largest food bank center in the nation to supply food to needy neighbors in a more stabilized way permanently,'' said Shin Myun-ho, director-general of the Welfare Policy Bureau. ``This center will be conducive to spreading a culture of food donation and redistribution.''