A surge of “local food direct sales stores” has emerged in South Jeolla Province, eliciting positive responses from consumers and invigorating the local economy. (Image courtesy of Jeonnam Nonghyup)
GWANGJU, Jan. 2 (Korea Bizwire) – Recently, a surge of “local food direct sales stores” has emerged in South Jeolla Province, eliciting positive responses from consumers and invigorating the local economy.
Local food pertains to products sourced and consumed within a close geographic proximity, typically within a 50-kilometer radius. Traditionally, challenges like elevated prices and diminished freshness resulted from a multi-stage distribution process. However, the emergence of local food direct sales stores has disrupted this pattern, earning significant favor among consumers.
Nonghyup, the Korean national agricultural cooperative, has successfully attracted customers by introducing diverse direct sales outlets and innovative business models, contributing to improved consumer satisfaction. In South Jeolla Province alone, 114 local food outlets operate under the auspices of 21 cities, counties, and 56 local agricultural cooperatives.
A noteworthy development in the region is the establishment of local food outlets promoting urban-rural coexistence. These stores, backed by joint investments from urban and rural agricultural cooperatives, exemplify a collaborative effort.
A prominent example is the Neungju Nonghyup Local Food Complex Cultural Center, inaugurated in March with a 3 billion won investment from Seogwangju Nonghyup, an urban agricultural cooperative.
Neungju Nonghyup specializes in fresh vegetables, offering a diverse range of products such as peaches, cherry tomatoes, and asparagus. The center’s facilities, including a glass greenhouse, function not only as a sales hall but also as a means to boost the income of flower farmers.
Moreover, it serves as a venue for small-scale movie screenings, concerts, exhibitions featuring local artists’ works, and a shelter for farmers.
An official from the Local Food Complex Cultural Center highlighted, “The incorporation of a cultural space has surpassed expectations, achieving over a 100% increase in farmers’ incomes and promoting local food.”
With higher consumer satisfaction and a growing influx of visitors, sales at Nonghyup’s local food stores in South Jeolla Province were estimated to reach 100.8 billion won last year, reflecting a 5.8% increase compared to a year earlier.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
