Hyundai Wia Launches "Dodam Saendeu" in Partnership with Gyeongnam Farmers

Local Food Based on the Agricultural and Fishing Village Mutual Cooperation Fund

Hyundai Wia is introducing a new local food product created together with farmers in Gyeongsangnam-do.

Hyundai Wia launched “Dodam Saendeu,” a sand cookie made using agricultural products from the Gyeongnam region, on the 10th. Dodam Saendeu is a product developed by Hyundai Wia in collaboration with the Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Government, the Agricultural and Fishing Village Mutual Cooperation Fund, the Changwon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the social enterprise Gonggonggonggan to support the growth of local farms. Hyundai Wia created Dodam Saendeu with the intention of developing it into a signature local specialty of Gyeongnam and thereby helping to build a sustainable local community.

A view of Dodam Saendeu created by Hyundai Wia in collaboration with Gyeongsangnam-do farmers. Hyundai Wia

Hyundai Wia developed Dodam Saendeu using 300 million won contributed to the Agricultural and Fishing Village Mutual Cooperation Fund. Over roughly one year starting last year, Hyundai Wia worked together with the Gyeongnam Provincial Government, local farmers, and Gyeongnam residents on everything from planning Dodam Saendeu and selecting ingredients to final production and marketing. In addition, Hyundai Wia incorporated its mascot “Dodami,” inspired by the endangered yellow-throated marten, to give the product a friendly design while also embedding the meaning of ecosystem restoration into Dodam Saendeu.

Hyundai Wia developed Dodam Saendeu to capture the four seasons of Gyeongnam. It offers a total of four flavors: raspberries grown in Gimhae City, mulberries from Sancheong County, sweet persimmons grown in Changwon City, and citron (yuzu) from Namhae County. By using gourmet butter and jams made from fruits produced in the Gyeongnam region, the product allows consumers to enjoy both the original flavor of the fruits and a soft, delicate texture.

Hyundai Wia plans to donate all profits generated from sales of Dodam Saendeu. These proceeds will be used for “green forest creation” projects jointly carried out by Hyundai Wia and the Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Government. The aim is to restore mountains in areas that suffered severe damage from wildfires last year and, through this, to create habitats for endangered local wildlife such as the yellow-throated marten.

Starting today, Dodam Saendeu will be available for crowdfunding through “Naver Happybean,” the largest public-interest platform in Korea. Hyundai Wia then plans to expand sales channels by opening pop-up stores at Changwon Jungang Station and the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, and by entering open-market platforms.

A Hyundai Wia official said, “Dodam Saendeu is the outcome of putting our heads together to grow alongside the local community,” adding, “We hope Dodam Saendeu will become a representative snack of the region and serve as a seed that helps our local farms and forests to grow.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.