Mobile market launches in Yeongyang-gun to serve rural residents without grocery stores

A mobile market that travels to villages loaded with groceries has launched in Yeongyang-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, to help rural residents who struggle to shop due to a lack of nearby grocery stores. Starting in Yeongyang-gun, the service is set to expand to all 10 counties designated as pilot areas under the rural basic income program.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced Wednesday that it has launched the "mobile food service support project" in Yeongyang-gun, drawing on the rural cooperation fund. NH Investment & Securities contributed to the fund to address the shortage of grocery stores in rural areas, enabling the project to move forward.

In Yeongyang-gun, Byeolmadang — an agricultural corporation established by local community activists — handles vehicle operations and delivery. The county government provides administrative support, including operations management and publicity.

The mobile market began operating five days a week on Monday. It visits Cheonggi-myeon on Mondays, Irwol-myeon on Tuesdays, Subi-myeon on Wednesdays, Seokbo-myeon on Thursdays and Ibam-myeon on Fridays. The vehicle stops at village community centers and similar locations twice a day to sell groceries and other daily necessities.

Residents can use local currency received through the rural basic income program to purchase goods. Items not immediately available on the mobile market can be ordered separately for delivery.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to roll out mobile markets in nine additional counties — including Sunchang-gun — also designated as rural basic income pilot areas. Six of those counties are working toward launching operations in the fourth quarter of this year, with preparations underway for vehicle purchases, modifications and the selection of operating entities. The remaining three counties will receive rural cooperation fund disbursements in October.

Jeon Han-young, director general of the ministry's Rural Policy Bureau, said the mobile food service, linked to the rural basic income pilot areas, "will help fill service gaps through residents, communities and social solidarity economy organizations, and contribute to building a virtuous cycle in local economies." He added that he hopes "securing new spending outlets for local currency will also improve the convenience of rural residents."