[Report] "I Came Again This Year"... Simmons 'Farmers Market' Grows with Local Farms

Supporting Local Farms for Eight Years
Fresh Local Specialties and Unique Spaces
From Pet Yoga to Jazz Performances
A "Good Market" That Also Gives Back to the Community

"It's both helpful and fun. I participated last year and enjoyed it so much that I decided to come again this year." This is what Bae Seonsik, head of Icheon Ssalgangjeong, said at the "Farmers Market" held at Simmons Terrace in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, on the 24th. On this first day of the event, which was also a weekday, the market was lively from the morning. Visitors examined each agricultural product and chatted with the sellers. "Did you harvest this yesterday?" "You can taste it if you want."

On the 24th, at Simmons Terrace in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, a visitor is purchasing products from the local farm "Ogun Farm" at the "Farmers Market." Simmons

The Farmers Market is a local coexistence program that Simmons has been running for eight years since 2018. Its purpose is to provide sales channels for local farms and offer citizens an enjoyable market experience. Simmons fully supports all processes necessary for sales, including booth production, promotion, and display. All the farmers need to do is bring their agricultural products. Simmons also secures a certain level of profitability by purchasing some agricultural products in advance and providing them to employees in the form of vouchers.

This year, a total of six local farms participated. The participants included "Ogun Farm," which brought tomatoes; "Onbang," which offered handmade yogurt and cheese; "Lau Strawberry," which showcased seasonal strawberries and jam; "Beoseoten," a farm specializing in shiitake mushrooms; Icheon Ssalgangjeong; and the Icheon City 4-H Association, which sold rice, succulents, and sesame oil. Companies such as Nongshim and Monclos also joined, adding to the spirit of "socializing." An "upcycling booth," where Simmons employees sold donated personal items, was also set up. All proceeds are donated to the local community.

'2025 Farmers Market' view. Simmons

The market was held at the "Simmons Terrace Basketball Court," which was renovated last year. The space is reminiscent of an actual basketball court. The agricultural products from Icheon displayed on the court created a unique atmosphere, as if visitors were at an overseas local market. The "Simmons Grocery Store," located in the same area, was designed with the motif of an American university. With interiors recreating a cafeteria, gym, and locker room, new menu items such as patbingsu, choco banana, and mango frappe were selling rapidly during the spring outing season.

Lee Jungmin (31), who visited with family, said, "We came to Icheon for an outing and decided to visit after hearing that the Farmers Market was being held. The space is impressive, and I'm even more satisfied because I was able to bring home fresh seasonal produce."

At the Pettopia event held on the 24th at the Simmons Terrace lawn garden, pet stretching massage and aromatherapy classes are being conducted. Photo by Lee Sungmin

Starting this year, a new program for visitors with pets was introduced. At "Pettopia," held on the Simmons Terrace lawn garden, aromatherapy and massages were provided on Simmons' vegan pet mattress "N32 Jjokkkomi." All areas of Simmons Terrace are open to pets.

Local artists and students also contributed to the spirit of coexistence. The event kicked off with performances by students from the Korea International School of Arts (KISA), and a variety of performances ranging from jazz to classical will continue throughout the event, adding to the festive atmosphere. In celebration of Family Month, there is also an event where cotton candy is given as a gift to child visitors. The Simmons Farmers Market runs from this day until the 27th, and again from May 1 to 6.

A Simmons representative said, "Since the opening of Simmons Terrace, the Farmers Market, launched as part of our ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management, has become a festival representing the local community, attracting many visitors each year. This year, not only do we have fresh local agricultural and specialty products, but also a wide variety of performances, making it the perfect place for those planning a spring outing during the long holiday."