Located alongside the Gukeng Green Tunnel in Yunlin, Liangxin Sheltered Farm is run by a dedicated farming team of care instructors and individuals with disabilities. Committed to eco-friendly organic farming, the team cultivates vibrant red quinoa (Taiwan djulis), jointly operating both the sheltered farm and a community-based vocational day-care workshop. Often referred to as the "ruby of grains," Taiwan djulis is rich in protein and dietary fiber, widely enjoyed as a wholesome staple or incorporated into teas, culinary dishes, and specialty products. Guided by the philosophy of "training rather than mere caretaking," the Liangxin team provides vocational training across farming, packaging, food processing, and retail sales, fostering personal development through experiential learning. Travelers can purchase red quinoa products—including red quinoa cookies, red quinoa coffee, and red quinoa savory toppings—directly at Liangxin’s charity counter in the Hsin Tung Yang Xiluo Service Area (Northbound). Under the patient guidance of instructors, sheltered employees personally introduce products and serve customers, demonstrating their hard work and positive outlook to passing travelers.

Employment Challenges and Personal Growth for Sheltered Workers

For Liangxin Sheltered Farm, the Hsin Tung Yang Xiluo Service Area (Northbound) is not merely a retail counter, but a vital bridge connecting sheltered employees with broader society. Amid the high foot traffic of the service plaza, trainees with disabilities gain firsthand experience in a real-world working environment—learning to engage with unfamiliar customers, listen to customer needs, communicate clearly, learn from mistakes, and overcome daily challenges with a positive mindset. For travelers, this setting provides a direct opportunity to learn about Taiwan djulis and the mission of Liangxin's sheltered workshops. Moving beyond standard product displays, direct interactions allow consumers to hear trainees earnestly explain product flavors or introduce specialty items like black gold red quinoa tea. These conversations highlight the trainees' dedication, share diverse life stories, and turn every purchase into a meaningful gesture of support.

Innovation in Action: From Red Quinoa Cookies to Strawberry Soft Serve

A vocational instructor from Liangxin Sheltered Farm shared: "Individuals with disabilities often require greater flexibility and understanding. Inside Liangxin’s dedicated workshops, trainees operate in a structured, predictable setting. At the Xiluo Service Area charity counter, however, they adapt to a faster operational pace and larger crowds. We deeply appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with Hsin Tung Yang, which provides our trainees with a real-world platform for vocational practice, steadily building their confidence. The welcoming staff and clean environment create an exceptionally positive workplace. Hsin Tung Yang also offers encouraging feedback and advice on our products, inspiring us to actively innovate and diversify our offerings. For instance, our recent new release, Red Quinoa Strawberry Soft Serve, was developed through numerous trial tastings and recipe refinements by our team."

A Win-Win Model: Fostering Social Understanding Through Corporate Partnership

At the bustling Xiluo Service Area, travelers serve as both customers and active supporters of Liangxin. While some patrons were initially unfamiliar with sheltered employment, direct interaction helped reshape their understanding. Beyond words of encouragement, many support the shop through tangible actions, such as sharing product details with friends, family, and colleagues to coordinate group orders. Because items like red quinoa cookies and red quinoa sweet potato crisps are packaged in convenient, portable formats suitable for travel snacks, many long-haul drivers have become regular customers.

At the Xiluo Service Area charity counter, travelers can enjoy wholesome snacks and beverages while appreciating the dedication of sheltered workers. Starting from this dedicated retail counter, Liangxin Sheltered Farm hopes to expand its vocational training pathways in the future, empowering trainees to build confidence in customer service while developing versatile professional workplace skills.