[Gochang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil] Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk, held an opening ceremony for the ‘Local Food Direct Market’ on the 23rd to provide stable sales channels for small and medium-sized farmers and elderly farmers and to promote the consumption of local agricultural products, and has begun full-scale operation.
According to the county on the 25th, the Local Food Direct Market allows local farmers who are struggling to sell agricultural products to increase their income by selling directly, and provides tourists and consumers with high-quality local agricultural products at affordable prices.
This direct market is operated by the agricultural corporation Myeongpum Gochang (CEO Park Sooyoung).
About 20 farms participate in directly packaging, displaying, and selling more than 50 varieties of Gochang agricultural and marine specialties, including bokbunja (Korean black raspberry), blueberries, watermelon, melon, peanuts, sweet potatoes, and salt, cultivated by local farms. The market will be open regularly until November.
The market is located between Sangha Farm, a popular spot for local residents and tourists, and Gushipo Beach.
On weekends, various experiences and attractions such as busking performances, bare-handed loach catching experiences, and coffee barista experiences will be offered.
County Governor Shim Deokseop said, “I hope the operation of the Local Food Direct Market will be a great help to local farms struggling to secure sales channels due to internal and external circumstances such as COVID-19,” and added, “Since you can consume safe and reliable Gochang agricultural and marine specialties at affordable prices, I ask for the interest and visits of many people.”
Meanwhile, this direct market is one of 11 projects selected by Gochang-gun last year in the regional food plan package contest hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, securing a project budget of 11.3 billion KRW (4.6 billion KRW in national funds) until 2025, and is the second project following last year.
Gochang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil baekok@asiae.co.kr
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