Joining Forces with Potato and Honey Farms... Nongshim's Win-Win for Quality Upgrade

Building Long-Term Partnerships with Farms
Centered on Key Ingredients Like Potatoes, Honey, and Kelp

Delicious food begins with quality ingredients. This is why Nongshim has chosen "regional coexistence" as its solution to improving the quality of its raw materials. By building long-term partnerships with farms for key ingredients such as potatoes, honey, and kelp, the company is creating a sustainable supply chain.

This year's coexistence initiatives began with potato farms. On March 12, Nongshim signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the "Young Farmers Together" program with the Agricultural, Fisheries, and Food Education and Cultural Information Service. Now in its sixth year since launching in 2021, this initiative is the food industry's first public-private partnership model designed to help young returnees to farming settle stably.

Photo of Nongshim beekeeping farm. Provided by Nongshim.

Each year, about 10 young farmers are selected and supported throughout the entire process, from cultivation to sales. Nongshim's strategic purchase of the harvest to reduce marketing pressures is a key aspect of the program. To date, the company has purchased a cumulative total of 1,793 tons of potatoes, which are used in major snack products such as Sumi Chips and Potato Chips.

Collaboration with beekeeping farms is also ongoing. Nongshim purchases about 160 tons of domestic acacia honey each year for use in "Honey Kkwabaegi" snacks. Amid declining honey production due to recent climate change and disease, this stable demand helps sustain farm incomes.

The company has gone beyond simple purchasing to strengthen production infrastructure. Nongshim distributes smart beekeeping equipment, provides disease diagnostic kits, plants nectar-producing trees, and operates mentoring programs for young beekeepers as part of its support for the industry.

Nongshim's commitment to coexistence is also evident in its long-term partnerships. A prime example is its collaboration with kelp fishermen in Wando. Since the launch of its "Neoguri" ramen, Nongshim has been using kelp from Geumildo, Wando, and has maintained this business relationship for 45 years. Stable purchasing has supported fishermen's incomes, creating a virtuous cycle that leads to improved quality.

Recently, Nongshim has also expanded activities that connect local communities and consumers. In cooperation with Wando County, the company participates in seafood festivals and runs programs where people can experience kelp ingredients and products, further promoting the value of coexistence.

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