Tokushima Prefecture in western Japan launched a program in June 2004 to promote the use of locally produced food in school lunches, intially at model schools selected by the prefectural board of education. In this program, all model schools plan to use locally grown seasonal vegetables in cooking school lunches; some schools were already promoting this kind of program.

The board of education selected 14 model schools including kindergartens, elementary and junior high schools in Yamashiro and Kaifu townships and Sanagochi village. Each school met the program's requirements of having a teaching nutritionist and being in an area where local distributors and farm producers can cooperate closely with schools.

While promoting the use of local products, the program also aims to enhance the children's knowledge and interest in local industries and culture, and to cultivate gratitude towards producers and appreciation for nature's blessings. Also, because the children can easily find out how the product was grown, they will be able to confirm for themselves that it was safely produced.

As part of the program, children have also taken part in hands-on activities, such as digging potatoes or working in rice fields. Eating vegetables they have harvested themselves gives them valuable experience in learning about rural agriculture and getting to know farmers.



Posted: 2004/11/04 04:12:44 PM
Japanese version

TAG Food/Water , Local government , NGO/Citizen , Other