Chungnam Yesan Apple Jam-filled
'Baek Jong-won Style Apple Pie' Released
[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] As 'kind coexistence' becomes a hot topic in the distribution industry, Lee Geon-jun, CEO of BGF Retail, which operates the convenience store CU, appeared as a tall benefactor in the "Delicious Rendezvous" episode featuring apples from Yesan, Chungnam.
The convenience store CU announced on the 16th that it will launch Baek Jong-won's apple pie from "Delicious Rendezvous." "Delicious Rendezvous" is a regional coexistence variety show centered around Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea, which develops new menus using local specialties or local foods and helps promote the consumption of domestic agricultural and marine products.
The episode aired on the 15th focused on apples from Yesan, Chungnam. Yesan, Chungnam, is a large production area accounting for 66% of Chungnam's apple production, but this year, due to cold damage and the rainy season, more than 60% of the production was classified as substandard products, failing to receive the proper price, making securing sales channels more urgent than ever.
While considering solutions, CEO Baek Jong-won immediately proposed commercialization to Lee Geon-jun, CEO of BGF Retail, who operates the convenience store CU, on site, and Lee readily agreed. After filming, CEO Baek personally visited the BGF Retail Central Kitchen located in Jincheon to test ways to utilize Yesan apples with product planners (MDs), and as a result, the apple pie, which received the best evaluation, was launched as a product.
The filling used in CU apple pies is apple jam made exactly according to the recipe from the broadcast, which involves slicing high-sugar-content apples and cooking them with sugar, lemon, and cinnamon powder. Nearly half of the total weight of the pie is filled with apple jam, and the pastry used has a rich butter flavor and soft texture. When baked in an air fryer for just 5 minutes as per the recipe in the show, you can enjoy an apple pie with a crispy exterior and moist interior.
Previously, products linked to "Delicious Rendezvous" were mainly sold in large quantities or as primary products, making it difficult for single or two-person households to purchase. Through CU, these households can now easily participate in the program's purpose of regional coexistence and kind consumption without burden.
The collaboration between BGF Retail and CEO Baek Jong-won was made possible thanks to a relationship that has continued for five years. CU has been developing products in partnership with CEO Baek Jong-won. CU Baek Jong-won lunchboxes surpassed 1 million cumulative sales within two weeks of the first product launch. Over 100 jointly released products such as all-purpose sauces, steamed buns, and stews also received positive responses.
Lee Geon-jun, CEO of BGF Retail, said, “BGF Retail, which has been leading the promotion of domestic agricultural and marine product consumption, has been able to present products with good intentions and quality through a long-standing relationship with CEO Baek Jong-won. Going forward, BGF Retail will actively seek ways to grow together with local communities by developing various products using domestic food ingredients.”
Meanwhile, BGF Retail has partnered with farms in five provinces across South Korea, from Jeju Island to Gangwon Province, including Sindongjin rice from Gimje, Jeollabuk-do, seaweed from Wando, Jeollanam-do, Beolgyo cockles and Boseong green tea from Boseong, Jeollanam-do, corn from Hongcheon, Gangwon-do, and Jeju black pork, introducing products utilizing local specialties from each region.
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