Guangfeng Farmers' Association Supermarket in Hualien to Reopen After Severe Flood Damage

(CNA, Hualien, May 20, by reporter Li Hsien-feng) Last year, the collapse of a barrier lake on the Matai'an River devastated Guangfu Township in Hualien, severely damaging the Guangfeng Farmers' Association supermarket. After eight months of restoration by the Eastern Branch of the Agriculture and Food Agency (AFA) and the farmers' association, the supermarket will reopen on the 22nd with a food and agriculture event to revitalize the economy and support local agriculture. Located along Provincial Highway 9, the supermarket was inundated on September 23 last year when muddy torrents from the Matai'an River burst through its metal doors. The flood destroyed the first-floor store, basement inventory, and freezer facilities, leaving behind over a meter of silt in the basement, which took a long time to clear and repair. The AFA's Eastern Branch stated today that to assist with post-disaster industrial reconstruction in Guangfu Township, it has guided the Guangfeng Farmers' Association to hold a food and agriculture promotion on the reopening day. The event invites the public to taste and experience local grains and specialty crops, aiming to boost farmers' confidence in sales and welcome a new future. On the opening day, tastings of grains such as coffee, pea crackers, red glutinous rice waffles, and puffed rice will be available, along with numerous special purchase offers. Tourists and the 'Shovel Supermen' (volunteers who helped clean up) are welcome back to Guangfu Township to bring home local delicacies. The AFA's Eastern Branch pointed out that Guangfu and Fengbin townships produce many grains and specialty crops like soybeans, coffee, camellia oil, and red glutinous rice. The supermarket has always actively collaborated with local farmers for production and sales, providing an excellent local platform and channel to market local agricultural products. Lin Mei-hua, Director of the AFA's Eastern Branch, emphasized that this event promotes agricultural products from Guangfu and Fengbin, allowing people to taste them directly and experience their diverse characteristics. Special order discounts and rock-bottom prices will also be available on the event day. Everyone is invited to help stimulate the local economy and support local agriculture.