(Iksan=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Jin-bang = The 'Iksan Sweet Potato Mozzarella Burger and Muffin' collaboration between Iksan City in North Jeolla Province and McDonald's Korea has achieved nationwide popularity, surpassing 100,000 cumulative sales in just 9 days after its release.
According to Iksan City on the 22nd, the Iksan Sweet Potato Burger, part of McDonald's 'Taste of Korea' project, set a record for the fastest 100,000 sales in the project's history.
The Taste of Korea project, launched by McDonald's Korea in 2021, aims to create fresh and delicious menu items using high-quality domestic ingredients while providing vitality to local farms.
This collaboration serves as a representative case of regional agricultural products being used as main ingredients in a major food service brand, providing an opportunity to showcase the excellence of Iksan sweet potatoes nationwide.
Iksan is the fourth-largest sweet potato production area in Korea, accounting for approximately 60% of sweet potato seed distribution. Iksan sweet potatoes, grown in the loess fields around Mireuksan and with abundant sunlight, are praised for their high sugar content and soft texture.
The success of the Iksan Sweet Potato Burger is also spreading to the local economy. The city launched an event offering additional burger set coupons to hometown love fund donors, which helped the Iksan hometown love fund donations exceed 100 million won in just 6 days.
The city plans to expand sweet potato supply volumes and distribution channels, leveraging the burger's success. They will strengthen cooperation with distribution channels like large marts and online markets, and continue communication with McDonald's to explore potential future re-releases.
Additionally, the city will host the 'Iksan Sweet Potato Sprout Festival' on September 6-7, featuring various sweet potato-based foods and experience events.
Kwon Hyuk, Director of Iksan City's Bio-Agricultural Policy Bureau, stated, "Iksan sweet potatoes have captured the taste buds of consumers nationwide, demonstrating new possibilities for local agricultural products. We will continue to actively pursue diverse private collaboration models using Iksan agricultural products."
chinakim@yna.co.kr