[Econ & Biz] Mobile supermarket trucks emerge as solution to S. Korea’s 'food deserts'

농촌마을에 ‘식품사막’ 현상 확산 찾아가는 이동장터 위기의 농촌에 ’단비‘
In some rural areas, food items are hard to access as shrinking population is driving out stores.
It's the topic of our business segment today.
Our economics correspondent Lee Soo-jin joins us in the studio.
Soo-jin, can you tell us more about the business model that has been devised to address the problem?
Sure. But before I do that I want to touch on what's happening.
The phenomenon you just described,.. is what's called a "food desert."
But one supermarket chain has devised a business model that's being widely regarded as the most effective solution.
I went to see why this is the case so let's take a look.
It's early in the morning but this supermarket manager's day has already begun.
He's busy adding items into a cart at a supermarket in a rural area of Pocheon city, in northern Gyeonggi-do Province.
Many of the areas residents are living in what is called a "food desert," where people have limited access to healthy and affordable food.
The groceries are loaded into this mobile supermarket truck named "Happy Market" which will head to food deserts in the area.
"Many villages lack even basic stores, and food deserts are increasing as businesses avoid or fail in areas with declining populations and low purchasing power."
Data from the Agriculture Ministry shows that more than 73 percent of rural communities nationwide are food deserts.
And for most residents of these rural communities, mainly senior citizens, buses are their only mode of transportation.
"The interval for cheaper buses is around 30 minutes so if you end up missing one it'll take around 40 minutes just to get to a store."
He says that all three corner stores that used to be in the village are now gone.
"Independently-owned corner stores were unable to make a profit. This was the last one but it also closed down."
This is why residents regard "Happy Market" as an oasis in a food desert, particularly since it visits three villages daily, Monday to Friday.
Inside the truck are groceries that residents ordered just by texting the manager, ranging from snacks to flour and fruits.
But for the elderly, the most valuable service is the manager's doorstep delivery a rare luxury in food deserts without access to standard delivery options, a reality that's hard to believe in the age of quick commerce.
"This makes life easier for old people like me. I'm always very thankful."
While it can be challenging, especially in the heat, the manager says it's worth it.
"I now know most of the elders. They're like family to me."
And it's this sentiment that creates an effective food "oasis" business model.
I see. Are there food deserts happening in other parts of the world too?
Yes, they are actually.
In the United States,..13 percent of the population lives in “food deserts,” according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
And it has been making various efforts over the years to combat this issue, which include major chains like Walmart opening stores in the food desert areas as part of former First Lady Michelle Obama's campaign in 2011
But food deserts continue to exist, and they're most common in rural and low-income communities.
Mobile markets like the "Happy Market" that I visited,.. have also emerged in the U.S. as a way to tackle food deserts,.. in cities in South Carolina and Georgia.
Are there any measures from the South Korean government?
Yes, and those plans include setting up more mobile supermarkets.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced exactly a month ago that it's planning to work with local governments to launch a nationwide mobile supermarket initiative.
The Agriculture Ministry will provide subsidies for vehicle and equipment purchases, while local governments cover operating costs and dispatch staff.
And the government plans to expand the project to 1-hundred-13 cities and counties after the pilot phase of the initiative.
Thank you for your report today, Soo-jin.
Thanks for having me.
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2024-08-29, 18:00 (KST)

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That's a good idea to open a business 👏👏👏👏