Why Local Farmers and Small Business Owners Have Gathered Wadiz
Farmers and local food vendors from all over the country—including Daejeon, Buyeo, and Yecheon—have gathered Wadiz.
While they use high-quality local ingredients and create excellent products in their own unique way, they may find it difficult to compete in a market that prioritizes fast delivery and the lowest prices.
To help them, Wadizthe Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) have joined forces.
We’d like to share the journey Wadizhas taken to help those who protect their communities grow on their own.
The Rootit Project: A community’s value grows from its roots.
The "Rootit Project," a regional value creation initiative first introduced by the Korea Water Resources Corporation, embodies the concept of building a sustainable circular economy rooted in the local community.
We invited applications from companies offering local foods from young farmers, eco-friendly food brands utilizing regional agricultural products, and products featuring proprietary patented technologies, and selected a total of eight companies.
They can showcase their products through crowdfunding Wadizand directly secure the funds needed to run their business through contributions from supporters.
Wadizwent beyond simply helping them secure funding; it actively supported these brands in becoming competitive in the market.Professional project managers worked closely with participating companies on a one-on-one basis to guide them through this journey.
Made in Local: Introducing eight stories filled with pride.
The eight selected companies are startups that have developed food and beverage products utilizing local resources in regions such as Daejeon, Yecheon, and Andong.
Local products with a variety of unique charms—from traditional regional liquors and Korean beef jerky to yogurt and dog supplements—have all come together in one place.
At the "Made in Local" exhibition, you can discover eight stories filled with their pride and participate in the crowdfunding campaign through December 7.
I’d like to introduce three projects from this group that highlight local stories.
“Goma Soju,” made with Dangjin’s premium-grade rice and high-sugar Hoppung sweet potatoes
“We’re introducing Goma Soju, a new type of distilled spirit that’s hard to find in Korea. We’ve come Wadizto gauge consumer reaction and assess the impact of its flavor ahead of its official launch.” — Shinpyeong Brewery (Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province)
<당진 신평양조장의 고마소주> *19세 이상 참여 가능한 프로젝트
"Goma Soju" from the Dangjin Sinpyeong Brewery is a traditional liquor made using "Haenaru Rice"—a premium-grade rice variety grown in Dangjin, Korea’s leading rice-producing region— and "Hopung Sweet Potatoes," which are known for their high sugar content and moist texture.
Unlike sweet and cloying Japanese shochu, this spirit is characterized by its clean and deep flavor. You can savor the subtle, grainy aroma unique to Haenaru rice.
A panoramic view of the Sinpyeong Brewery in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province
Shinpyeong Brewery is a traditional makgeolli brewery with a 100-year history located in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province. Founded in 1933, itis now in its third generation.
All products are made using 100% locally sourced ingredients, including rice and sweet potatoes from Dangjin. You can be among the first to try “Goma Soju”—a product launched to establish itself as a new leader in the sweet potato soju market— through Wadiz.
→ Go to the funding page
“Uboo Premium Beef Jerky,” capturing the authentic flavor of Yecheon Hanwoo
“We created ‘Uboo Premium Beef Jerky’ by combining our accumulated experience and expertise—including raising Yecheon Hanwoo cattle fed on sesame cake to capture the region’s identity and conducting research using natural enzymes. We would like to present our premium beef jerky to Wadiz to see if it truly resonates with consumers, and we hope to use your valuable feedback to continue improving our product.” – Sooreum Co., Ltd. (Yecheon, Gyeongbuk) –
Uboo Premium Beef Jerky is made from Hanwoo beef slaughtered on the same day, which is hand-trimmed and processed using "bromelain," a natural enzyme extracted from pineapples, resulting in a tender texture that isn't tough.
Choi Ji-min, CEO of Sooreum Co., Ltd. (far right), and the Sooreum team responsible for hygiene and quality at the HACCP-certified facility
Choi Ji-min, CEO of Sooreum Co., Ltd., has been running a butcher shop in Yecheon-eup for nine years. To answer the question, “Is there a way to offer high-quality meat that is easier to access, healthier, and more special?”
My husband and I established a HACCP-certified meat processing company and have been conducting research ever since. Drawing on our accumulated experience in raw meat processing and natural enzyme extraction techniques, we created Uboo Premium Jerky.
You can be the first to try the first package of Uboo Premium Jerky—a jerky you can trust from source to taste—as Wadiz exclusive edition.
→ Go to the funding page
Patented glutinous rice coating technology! Bean crackers made with beans from Daejeon
“We believe that reviving Daejeon’s local specialty, Kongppugak, in a modern way is not merely a matter of production, but a heartfelt record that bridges generations. Building on the support and interest we received during our first crowdfunding campaign, we aim to repay that trust with an even better product through this reorder campaign. We have returned Wadizonce again to carry forward the brand value of Kongppugak.” – Kongppugak (Daejeon) –
Kongppugak is a snack based on Kongbugak, a traditional snack from Daejeon, featuring a patented glutinous rice coating thatgives it an even crispier texture.
Coated twice with glutinous rice to maximize its rich, nutty flavor and crispy texture. Available in six flavors, including corn, spicy cheese, and black soybean, so you can have fun choosing your favorite!
Seo Dong-ju, CEO of Kongppugak (right), and his mother (center), who has carried on the family business of making fried soybeans in Daejeon for over 20 years
Seo Dong-ju, the CEO of Kongppugak—a company that has been making soybean crackers for two generations, carrying on the culinary expertise and dedication of her mother—is dedicated to sharing the unique flavors ofDaejeon with a deep sense of pride and mission in preserving the city’s local cuisine.
CEO Seo Dong-ju said, “I believe that reviving soybean crackers in a modern way is not merely a matter of manufacturing, but a record of the spirit that bridges generations, and I seeWadizas a space where people who understand and empathize with that spirit come together.”
Building on the support and interest we received during Kongppugak’s first crowdfunding campaign Wadiz, we are launching a reorder campaignfor this project as the “Christmas Goodie Bag Edition.”
→ Go to the funding page
So that it can become a "sustainable" local specialty
“After giving it a lot of thought over the past few years, we’ve finally produced a fine liquor, and I believe this project will be of great benefit to our farms and businesses.” — Shinpyeong Brewery (Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province)
Feedback from makers on their participation in Made in Local
The goal of the Rootit project is to secure successful funding, empower locally grown brands to thrive on their own, and create a structure where this process generates a virtuous cycle that revitalizes the local economy.
For small local brands, the experience of reaching new customers through crowdfunding, sharing their brand story, and refining their products based on customer feedback will be an invaluable asset.
The eight companies participating in this project will gain more than just funding.
Moving forward, Wadizplans to continue providing ongoing support and exploring new initiatives through various partnerships, helping those who preserve local values to become self-reliant and allowing their roots to grow deeper and stronger.
The "Made in Local" eventruns through Sunday, December 7. Come experience local foods firsthand at the event!
This journey will continue so that products imbued with local stories can reach even more people, far and wide!
