Geochang-gun Opens Direct Transaction Market ... Win-Win for Producers and Consumers

Participation of Food Distribution Center Suppliers and Partner Companies

Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam Province announced on the 15th that it will hold the first ‘Direct Transaction Market’ of the year at the parking lot in front of the Geochang Food Comprehensive Center to revitalize the local food direct sales market and expand the sales of agricultural products produced by small-scale farmers in the region.

Organized by Geochang-gun and operated by the Geochang Livestock Cooperative, the weekend direct transaction market started its first opening on the 13th and is scheduled to operate a total of 15 times biweekly until the end of November. It is conducted using project funds (22 million KRW in national funds) secured through a public contest by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT).

Held for the first time in four years due to COVID-19, this direct transaction market will showcase agricultural and specialty products from 15 local companies supplying the Food Comprehensive Center, as well as a special exhibition of Namdo cuisine linked with affiliated foods from Suncheon, Jeonnam.

At the direct transaction market, visitors can purchase ▲ affiliated food kimchi varieties such as Gatkimchi (mustard leaf kimchi), Godeulppaegi (Korean lettuce), and Gat jangajji (pickled mustard leaves) ▲ fresh agricultural products such as strawberries, apples, paprika, and onions ▲ processed products made from local agricultural products such as strawberry jam, apple juice, and traditional sauces. Various household goods sold at the Food Comprehensive Center, including ceramic lifestyle products, will also be available.

In addition to sales events, there will be tasting events featuring strawberry syrup and oyster mushroom jeon, as well as a promotional event where customers who purchase more than 20,000 KRW at sales booths will receive a 10% discount coupon issued by the Geochang Livestock Cooperative.

Kim Dong-seok, Director of the Happy Rural Department, said, “Following the Happy Geochang Story local food special sales event that ended on the 30th of last month, we plan to hold regular direct transaction markets. We hope that through these markets, Geochang local food will be continuously promoted and that it will become a place where producers and consumers can coexist.”

At the Geochang Food Comprehensive Center, to ensure a substantial market operation, food development for the market, support from the Village Creation Support Center, and experiential events linked with the New Vitality Plus Center will be conducted to provide various attractions and food for local residents and external visitors.