Top Taiwan produce takes center stage in Taipei

2015/07/22

An outlet retailing premium Taiwan agricultural products recently opened in Taipei City, offering consumers from home and abroad the opportunity to sample some of the finest food from around the nation.

Goodgoods at Shin Kong Mitsukoshi’s Xinyi branch offers over 100 items by 26 locally owned producers from 11 regions in Taiwan. The department store forecasts revenues of NT$8 million (US$256,220) by year-end, with operations expanding to its Taichung and Tainan locations going forward.

The store is the front end of a network connecting independent farmers and producers directly with the marketplace. Organizer Hong Zhen-yu said the venture stands out from the crowd on the strength of its close-knit partnership with suppliers.

“We buy all of the products ourselves and take full responsibility for marketing and sales,” he said. “Another differentiating strategy is to highlight the people who make the products and their stories.”

According to Hong, this approach establishes a personal connection with the consumer, eases concerns over food security, and safeguards the economic, ecological and social sustainability of the communities where the products come from.

One such community works with How’s Food. Founded by National Taiwan University graduate Yu Fu-chun, the brand is widely viewed as spearheading Taiwan’s local food movement.

Yu partners with suppliers to develop creative products, leveraging her academic background and professional knowledge to transform the food supply chain into one of collaboration instead of exploitation.

“By teaming up with those as devoted to organic farming as we are, the company is able to improve the quality of materials and production,” Yu said. “In addition, we build strong community spirit, creating more like-minded partners to further the food initiative.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=232854&ctNode=413)