An aerial view of Taizhou's Xiacuishangzhai village. [Photo/Tide News]

Xiacuishangzhai village in Taizhou's Xianju county has been selected as a traditional food culture model village under the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Villages Recognition Initiative.

Formed by the Xiacuishangzhai and Makantou villages, the area has developed a rural development model centered on the activation of idle industrial buildings and collective assets. Old factory spaces have been renovated into commercial facilities, including a farmers' market and a cultural commercial square, generating stable collective income through leasing operations.

Makantou is also using its location along a provincial highway and near the Yong'an River to develop traditional rice flour processing techniques. These long-established products support local specialty catering and promote the integration of agriculture and tourism, helping residents increase their incomes.

The FAO's initiative is a global program that recognizes benchmark villages in agriculture and rural development. Selected villages are included in FAO's international cooperation networks for knowledge sharing and global exhibition.