Saturday, February 17, 2007
2HJ sits in on MAFF public meeting related to destruction of surplus produce
On February 15 2007, Second Harvest Japan Executive Director Charles McJilton and Resource Coordinator Yusuke Wada observed a public meeting on the destruction of surplus produce. Overproduction and subsequent destruction this harvest season of Chinese cabbage and daikon has been met with national debate over the waste of this produce. At the meeting, an exploratory committee formed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries discussed opinions on the problem from various viewpoints of consumers and producers. The Ministry is soliciting ideas from the private sector, so 2HJ is planning to recommend food banking as a way of putting the surplus to good use rather than destroying it.
2HJ uses about 20 heads of Chinese cabbage weekly to make pickles for distribution in Ueno Park. MAFF reports that 22,000 tons of cabbage, Chinese cabbage, and daikon have been destroyed since last fall.
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