Gyeonggi Local Food Stores

Gyeonggi-do suggests the local food stores, its unique distribution channel to support local food industry and boost the local economy.

What is local food?

Local food refers to agricultural and fishery products that are produced, processed, and consumed all in the same region without long-distance transportation or multi-stage distribution. It often refers to agricultural products produced within a 50km radius of a given area. With the onset of worldwide environmental issues, local food (which entails reduced greenhouse gas emissions) is drawing attention.

Gyeonggi-do's local food industry initiatives

The number of local food stores in Gyeonggi-do, which was 23 in 2016, has increased to 59 as of November 2020. With the spread of local food stores, the number of participating farmers has also increased.

In order to ensure the quality of local food, Gyeonggi Province conducted agricultural pesticide residue inspections at local food stores in the province from January to October 2020. Residual pesticide testing of 442 samples of 76 kinds of products collected from 32 local food stores indicated a low nonconformity rate of 0.9%. This is the second consecutive year in which a nonconformity rate of less than 1% was recorded with the rate improving continuously since 2018.

Gyeonggi-do runs the local food stores that sell reliable agricultural products produced throughout Gyeonggi Province

ⓒGyeonggi Province

How are local food stores operated?

First of all, the most eye-catching aspect of local food stores is how they present the products. Detailed information about the producers – including their portraits, names and contact details – are displayed with each product so as to increase consumer confidence in the product.

Secondly, farmers must complete related training before they can sell agricultural products at local food stores since they are the ones who decide the selling price as well as packaging and presentation. Refresher training is also provided every year so as to ensure the quality of agricultural products in local food stores.

In addition, Gyeonggi agroFood Institute oversees the support and safety inspections of supplying farms to confirm the provision of safe food. More than 3,500 safety inspections are conducted annually in tandem with the Food Safety Management System.

*What is Food Safety Management System?

The Food Safety Management System entails visits to vulnerable farms – such as those operated by elderly or small-scale farmers – and guides them on the proper use of pesticides. Through this system, safety tests are also performed before products enter the supply chain. This leads to safer food production while also helping the rural employment rate.

Future plans

So far, local food stores have simply served as places to sell local food. However, in the future, local food stores will be transformed into a complex cultural centers that communicate with local people and share great food cultural values through the addition of various functions such as farmer restaurants, food education, cooking and experiential classes, and other cultural amenities.

Local food stores will also be opened in urban areas, making it easier for anyone in Gyeonggi Province to access and purchase local food in conjunction with other channels such as online sales and direct near-farm delivery.

Gyeonggi local food offers safe and fresh options through local agricultural products that are delivered to consumers on the day of harvesting. With the increased consumption of local food, farmer income also increases since they do not have to go through complicated distribution processes, and consumers can make purchases at reasonable prices. This leads to the production and consumption of food products in the region, leading to stable sales by small and medium-sized farmers and the creation of local jobs, which in turn helps the local economy. Therefore, Gyeonggi Province is doing its utmost to develop the local food industry.

Gyeonggi Province strives to increase Gyeonggi farmers' income as well as to develop the local food industry
ⓒGyeonggi Province