Linking Consumers, Grocers, Raising Food Self Sufficiency

Hokkaido Food Self-Sufficiency Network (HFSSN), a Japanese incorporated non-profit organization, has been actively working since its launch in 1999 aiming to revitalize farming, Hokkaido's primary industry, as well as raise Japan's food self sufficiency ratio, which is remarkably low among advanced industrial countries. Participating members are seven organizations and 200 private members, mostly residents within Hokkaido. They are all stakeholders concerned with food, including grocery producers, traders and customers, using this network as an active base for their movement.

The HFSSN is working on "wheat trust" and "soybean trust" projects, in which consumers become members of the projects and buy wheat or soybeans through their membership fees to support producers. Japanese people consume wheat and soybeans daily and yet have very low self sufficiency for these products. HFSNN is the only organization in Japan that has been involved in the wheat trust movement.

It has received good reviews from consumers, such as "I used to only look at prices while shopping, but now I look more carefully to see if I am buying local produce," and "All of my family members are now interested in agriculture issues." These positive responses encourage the producers and raise their awareness about the benefits of producing good quality food.

The network endeavors to raise awareness of food among people, by providing children with lectures on the importance of food choice and conducting events such as a forum for citizens on food self sufficiency in Japan.



Posted: 2005/11/02 11:48:15 AM
Japanese version