Stay healthy this Winter Solstice with glutinous rice balls and organic chrysanthemum greens—delicious and wholesome!

Eat glutinous rice balls this Winter Solstice—celebrate reunion and eat healthily too. As cold fronts arrive and the Winter Solstice approaches, enjoy these festive treats as a symbol of family togetherness. Pair them with organic chrysanthemum greens produced by Xie Shujuan, a young farmer from New Taipei City. They’re nutritious, healthy, and not greasy. Through a farm membership model, she regularly delivers boxes of organic vegetables. She can also often be seen selling produce at the Hope Square. Come visit Shulin Gan Yuan to experience urban farm life.

New Taipei City first created distribution channels and then paved the way for farming. Since 2011, it has gradually promoted the use of organic vegetables in school lunches, pioneering an effective sales channel that drives agricultural transformation.

The owner of Kang Wei Farm, Xie Shujuan, previously ran agricultural vocational training classes. To help students better understand organic farming, with assistance from the Shulin District Farmers’ Association, she secured a 0.6-hectare plot of land and experienced the life of a farmer alongside her students, gradually expanding the variety of crops grown.

Xie Shujuan said, “Organic farming is truly not easy. In the beginning, I could only produce vegetables full of holes and nibbled by bugs. Thanks to continuous guidance and subsidies from the Agriculture Bureau, as well as advice from more experienced farmers, we’ve achieved what we have today. I’ve always believed that organic farming is a kind act toward the earth, and through all the cycles, the earth will generously give back to us.”

Earlier this year, the Agriculture Bureau held a matchmaking meeting for school lunch programs. I took on the challenge of supplying one school. Seeing the children enjoy my organic vegetables was incredibly heartwarming—I can’t even describe it. Now my farm is preparing to harvest organic chrysanthemum greens, and everyone is welcome to come taste them.

Kang Wei Farm is located in Shulin Gan Yuan. A one-day farmer experience event is planned for January next year, where you can enjoy the wonders of nature, slow down and relax, and sip on DIY afternoon tea drinks—live like an “urbanite” in the countryside. Spots are limited. Stay tuned for updates on our website, and sign up enthusiastically to support local organic farming together.

Organic chrysanthemum greens produced by New Taipei young farmer Xie Shujuan—nutritious, healthy, and not greasy. (Provided by New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau)

Director of the Agriculture Bureau Li Wen said, “New Taipei City is a consumer market. Through food and agriculture education, we can build trust between consumers and farmers. Coupled with the policy concept of producing and consuming locally, consumption can drive agricultural transformation.”