Participants at the Garaetteok Day event. [Provided by North Gyeongsang NH Agricultural Cooperative]
Participants at the Garaetteok Day event. [Provided by North Gyeongsang NH Agricultural Cooperative]

The North Gyeongsang Province branch of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, known as North Gyeongsang NH Agricultural Cooperative, held a rice consumption promotion campaign Wednesday to mark Farmers' Day, highlighting the quality of domestically grown rice and the value of agriculture and rural communities.

The cooperative hosted a "Garaetteok Day" event at Dongnak Hall of the North Gyeongsang Provincial Government building Wednesday, distributing garaetteok — cylindrical rice cakes made from Woori rice — to attendees at the 31st Farmers' Day commemoration.

At the event, organized by the North Gyeongsang Province Agricultural Organizations Council, General Manager Kim Ju-won and a volunteer team of cooperative staff handed out the rice cakes to about 800 people, including farmers and students from agricultural high schools.

This year, the cakes were packaged in sets of four to symbolize the four "1"s in the date Nov. 11, adding a layer of meaning to the occasion.

Garaetteok Day has been held every Nov. 11 since 2006 to coincide with Farmers' Day, with the aim of raising awareness of the quality of domestic rice and the importance of agriculture.

The cooperative said it plans to step up efforts to boost consumption of rice-processed foods such as garaetteok, noting that demand for individually portioned and ready-to-eat products has grown alongside a rise in single-person households and shifting dietary habits.

The event also promoted the Nongshim Cheonshim Movement — a campaign built on the idea that a farmer's sincerity reflects the will of heaven — and publicized the hometown love donation program.

"I hope Nov. 11 becomes a day to remember the sweat and dedication of farmers and to share gratitude and support through our rice," Kim said. "North Gyeongsang NH Agricultural Cooperative will take the lead in helping a culture of cherishing and consuming our agricultural products take root in everyday life."


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com