In February last year, SPC Group showcased a wide variety of strawberry products in partnership with Nonsan strawberry farmhouses as part of ‘Happiness and Shared Growth through ESG project’. A year has passed since. This time, the Group promoted the second encounter by taking the project to the next-level format. Along with new product developments using Nonsan strawberries, the Group also began to support young farmers through joint research on new strawberry varieties. We introduce SPC Group’s very special Happiness and Shared Growth through ESG project that gives wings to young farmers so that they can fulfill their dreams.
The 2nd Episode of Happiness and Shared Growth with Nonsan Strawberry farmhouses
The 2nd episode of Happiness and Shared Growth through ESG Project with Nonsan Strawberry farmhouses
SPC Group’s Happiness and Shared Growth through ESG Project is a group-wide activity that started back in 2020 with an intent to assist local farmhouses affected by COVID-19, and therefore having difficulties navigating through sales channels. SPC Group purchases these high-quality agricultural products raised in domestic farmhouses and use them to develop new products. Through the project, farmhouses are supported by additional profit generation while customers can buy high-quality products made with domestic farm produce. This allows customers to participate in value-based consumption and therefore serves two ends. In February last year, the Group signed an agreement with the city of Nonsan, where the Group later launched ‘Nonsan Fresh Strawberry Cake’ through Paris Baguette and ‘Nonsan Strawberry Cobb’ through Pig in the Garden.
SPC Group took a step further and once again reached an agreement with the city of Nonsan to generate even wider shared values, as the Group joined hands with the city on Happiness and Shared Growth through ESG Project last year. The Group embarked on a joint R&D with Strawberry Research Institute under Chungcheongnam-do Agricultural Research & Extension and the city of Nonsan to optimize ‘Vita Berry’ variety to bakery products, which is cultivated by young farmers in Nonsan. With a continued effort on improving varieties since January 2019, the Group finally launched a new product using Vita Berry.
Young farmers selected as PR models for new Paris Baguette products
SPC Group launched its new product by purchasing 80 tons of strawberries diligently harvested in Nonsan farmhouses, including Vita Berry produced by young farmers. The Group also appointed young farmers as its PR models for new Paris Baguette products to support the growth of young farmers. As domestic agricultural population is on a constant decline, fostering young farmers emerged as an important national challenge. Through the Group’s support to young farmers, we expect a wider interest from young people towards agriculture.
Park Tae-jun, a young farmer appointed to PR model for Paris Baguette’s new product, said “It is my great pleasure to advertise the excellence of Nonsan strawberries and new Vita Berry through Happiness and Shared Growth through ESG Project. I am happy to be able to widely promote young farmers as well” and added “I would like continue engage in raising and researching special fruits such as Vita Berry while keep on facing new challenges.” SPC Group will continue to carry the project with applied industry specialty so that young farmers can enhance competitive edge in future agricultural landscape.
Take a look at new Vita Berry product at Paris Baguette.
A new ‘Vita Berry’ variety developed by Strawberry Research Institute, Chungcheongnam-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services
Vita Berry is a new strawberry variety introduced by Happiness and Shared Growth ESG Project, and developed for export by Strawberry Research Institute under Chungcheongnam-do Agricultural Research & Extension in 2019. Innovation Lab, SPC Group’s research center has been involved in joint research with the Strawberry Research Institute and the city of Nonsan since January 2019 to improve and optimize Vita Berry for bakery products. Vita Berry has a high sugar content of 16Brix compared to existing variety with 10-12Brix. It is nutritionally superior with an abundance of Vitamin C along with solid flesh and a rich scent.
‘Vita Berry Fresh Strawberry Fraisier’ that can be found at Paris Baguette
Paris Baguette, a family brand of SPC Group, launched a French-style cake using a high-quality Vita Berry to allow customers to elegantly enjoy the taste of strawberry. We introduce ‘Vita Berry Fresh Strawberry Fraisier.’ Fraisier is a French dessert made with sweet and soft custard cream, soft sponge cake sheets, and a fresh strawberry.
Vita Berry Fresh Strawberry Fraisier by Paris Baguette is a harmony between thick custard cheese cream layered between sponge cake sheets and a fresh strawberry compote with a chewy taste beyond comparison. The fraisier is finished with fresh and sweet Vita Berry with solid flesh that allows a tasteful experience. You can find these cakes filled with fresh strawberry tastes and scents at Paris Baguette stores.
Vita Berry Fresh Strawberry Fraisier, a great combination of Vita Berry and soft cakes
SPG Group’s Happiness and Shared Growth through ESG Project will continue!
SPG Group’s Happiness and Shared Growth ESG Project stands with farmhouses across the nation
SPC is willing to push hard for franchise ESG management that can reward our customers with even better products and make contributions to our society. SPC Group’s Happiness and Shared Growth Project is a representative shared growth model that realizes such intention. The Group’s effort in shared growth with local societies dates to 2009. It was not until 2020 that the project was named as ‘Happiness and Shared Growth Project’ and really started to generate shared values. Throughout last year, the Group signed shared growth agreements with local farms including Nonsan strawberry farmhouse in February, Muan onion farmhouse in June, and Punggi Ginseng farmhouse in August; it launched unique new products using domestic farm produce.
As seen in the Group’s effort in joint development of bakery-specific variety, SPC Group will promote a wide range of activities to link the growth of local farmhouses to the growth engines of the Group. Please continue to stay with the Group’s movements in enhancing its competitive edge through promoting a sincere shared growth. SPC Group, as Korea’s leading comprehensive food company, will fulfill its social responsibility and create a new paradigm for ESG management.
