TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) in Taiwan has announced that starting in January next year, food service businesses will be eligible for rewards of up to NT＄14 per serving if they agree to use organic or traceable agricultural products in 12 types of fast-growing vegetables, including bok choy and water spinach.
The catering industry expressed concerns about MOA's strategy, highlighting the potential for significant price increases in vegetables during typhoon seasons or cold weather. Such conditions could make certified and organic products more costly.
In response, MOA officials confirmed plans to offer subsidies to mitigate the impact of these price hikes. School lunch allowances could increase from NT＄3.5 to NT＄10 per serving, while remote schools might receive up to NT＄14 per serving.
Chen Mig-hsin, Director of Taiwan's Food Catering Association, called for the integration of QR codes for verified products during natural disasters. He emphasized the importance of additional reward systems to better prepare domestic food suppliers for weather-related disruptions.
Su Mao-hsiang, Deputy Director of the Agriculture and Food Agency (AFA), recognized the efforts of Taiwan’s catering businesses in supporting the MOA's objectives to promote healthy and affordable school lunches. He noted that 3,800 tons of vegetables are purchased weekly, with more than half being organic or traceable.
Su anticipates that the increased purchase of these agricultural products will encourage more farmers to cultivate them.