Hi everyone,

I've been enjoying my time exploring Songtan (though I haven't met any of you yet!), and I was just wondering if anyone had shopped for food at the open market? There is a ton of stuff there, but I can't identify most of it. I've only looked around, not tried to speak to anyone or buy anything yet. Does anyone know where the produce comes from, e.g. local farms? Anyone familiar with their farming techniques, such as pesticide and fertilizer use? I bought organic and/or at local farmer's markets whenever possible in the states. Do any of the merchants there speak English and deal easily with us Americans? I also wonder if their prices are more reasonable than at the Commissary. Much of the goods are not labeled, and even if they were, I probably wouldn't be able to read it =) If anyone has any experience with the local outdoor Songtan food market or knows the answers to any of these questions, I'd really appreciate it! Ideally, it would be great to join someone on their own shopping trip through there if anyone makes a regular one. I like to buy local organic produce at bargain prices wherever I am.

Christina

Hi...
Do you like Korean food ? oh..that's good.
I am Korean guy. My parents are a farmer.
You know, most of Korean farmers are poor very much like my parents.
So, if you are buy their farm produce, it is very good.
Are you worrying your health ? Don't worry ! It is ok.

I don't know if the farming practices have changed since 1989 the last time I was there. They were using human waste as fertilizer then. Best thing to do is get with the medical personnel at Osan, they can give you the most up to date info on that.

Unless your into korean food, I would not buy anything I could not identify.

If you have a Korean friend take him/her with you.

We have not shopped at that market in a year or so, but we do buy alot of fruit from various vendors.

The big pear/apple looking fruit is amazing. Also the little fruit that is yellow and has greenish stripes is really good also.

I believe they stopped using human waste for farming. I was here is 99 and the smell was horriable, now it is not so bad.....I could be wrong...

__________________
CH-47 SI

They must find it difficult...

Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority. --Gerald Massey

OK Osan girls- take this girl under your wing ASAP!

Treat fruits & vegetables like you would at home. Wash them good. No, they don't use human nightsoil anymore, but pesticides are used. I have a hard time believing the Organic labels. The farms selling Organic to the Commissary are probably scrutinized by the authorities. Consumers Reports says don't waste your money on the Vegetable Wash you see in the Commissary. Use a tsp of regular laundry clorox in water to wash. Is it in 1 gal. or 2? I forget.

Oh- go ahead and speak English! Someone will appear immediately who can speak nearly as well as you! Happens every time near a Military base! Also, lots of the Oriental ladies shopping around with you are married to GI's!