Kimchi in US Schools: K-Food Event & Dietary Guidelines Recognition

New York, NY – Students at Democracy Prep Charter High School in Manhattan participated in a kimchi-making workshop and K-food lunch service on February 10, an event hosted by the South Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Trade Corporation (aT). The initiative aims to promote the benefits of kimchi to a new generation of American consumers, following the U.S. Government’s inclusion of kimchi in its 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The Dietary Guidelines, released January 7, recommend kimchi as a beneficial food for gut health due to its probiotic qualities. The event at Democracy Prep, a public school known for its integration of Korean language, Taekwondo, and traditional dance into its curriculum, was designed to capitalize on this recognition and introduce students to the versatility of Korean cuisine. Founded in 2009, the school serves a student body largely comprised of children from low-income families in Harlem.

During the workshop, students and faculty members learned to prepare kimchi from scratch. Eleven-year student Alex remarked, “I always thought kimchi was just spicy, but making it myself showed me it could go well with sandwiches, burgers, or tacos.” Emily Chen, a math teacher at the school, added, “Making kimchi helped me feel more connected to Korean culture, and I plan to encourage my students to eat this healthy food more often.”

Following the kimchi-making session, students were served a K-food lunch consisting of rice, kimchi, bulgogi (marinated beef), japchae (glass noodles), and assorted Korean pancakes. Jayden, a twelfth-grade student, commented, “Making the kimchi and then eating it made it feel extra special. I’m jealous of Korean students who gain to eat meals like this every day.”

According to aT Export Food Division Director Jeon Gi-chan, the organization intends to pursue further promotional activities to highlight the value of kimchi in the United States, now that it has been officially recognized by the U.S. Government’s dietary recommendations. The aT has not yet announced details of future events.