Thursday, April 29, 2010
Office Manager Masahiro Otake’s U.S. Food Bank Travelogue Vol. 1
Hello all! My name is Masahiro Otake, the office manager at 2HJ. I would like to share with you my experiences from my internship at Global Foodbanking Network (GFN) in San Antonio, Texas. The trip was five days from March 1st to the 5th of 2010, and I learned many things that I think you might find interesting as well.
Our training was held in San Antonio, at the headquarters of HEB, a supermarket chain with more than 300 stores in Mexico and Texas who is a sponsor of the GFN training program. Here is a shot of a mobile kitchen I saw at the site.
Visiting the Mobile Kitchen
From the outside of the mobile kitchen
Inside the truck is a fully stocked kitchen.
The mobile kitchen can be driven to disaster areas and provide hot meals for people in afflicted areas. This vehicle is capable of producing over 2,000 meals per hour.
Next, we visited the San Antonio Food Bank.
The San Antonio Food Bank (SAFB) was chosen as “Food Bank of the Year” in 2007, out of the 200+ food banks in the United States. I was truly impressed with efficient systems it has and the sheer scale of the place.
In 2009, roughly 36 million pounds (approximately 16,300 metric tons) of food were donated to this food bank, and then the food bank redistributed them to about 450 soup kitchens and other facilities in the area.
Local facilities have reported that they have been able to save on 56.8 million dollars (approximately 5 billion yen) in food costs just with the donations they received from SAFB.
It is thought that about 49 million people are lacking food security in the United States, of which 17 million are children, and 5 million are seniors.
Texas, where this GFN training was held, has the second highest rate of people lacking food security among the 50 states.
Out of the many programs at SAFB, the Community Kitchen and the BackPack Program caught my interest the most.
The Community Kitchen gives economically disadvantaged people, training of food service job skill needed to achieve self-sufficiency. It’s a bit like a vocational school program in Japan. This program addresses one of the reasons that people cannot break free from poverty—deficiency in job skills.
The Community Kitchen takes participants through a 16-week culinary arts program. Upon completion, the graduates continue on to self-sufficiency, by seeking a job to apply the skills they learned. The representative I spoke with told me with great pride that an astonishing 90% of participants go on to find jobs after going through this program.
Busily working at the Community Kitchen
Food prepared here are quickly and efficiently distributed to the poor
The other program that really caught my attention was the BackPack Program, where SAFB works together with local schools to provide food for children at risk of going hungry over holidays and weekends. Nutritious food is given to children discreetly in a non-descript bag (put in their backpack), on their way home from school.
The number of children who lack food security in the U.S. is estimated to 17 million. In order to support these children, not only SAFB, but also many other food banks in the U.S. implement this unique and heartwarming program.
Food packs like this one are distributed to children discreetly on their way home.
In the second half, I will introduce the various activities that the GFN does to help fight hunger.
If you like this story, you might also enjoy:
Food for Thought—A Look at Food Banks in the U.S. Part 1: From Farm to Family
2HJ’s new video - Thank you very much for your support!
Link to News story »
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Food for Thought—A Look at Food Banks in the U.S.A.
Part 1: From Farm to Family
In this series we take a look at food banks in the United States of America, where there are many programs distributing food stuffs to people in need. For the first part in this series, we take a look at a food bank program in California and its successes in distributing fresh produce across the golden state.
Food banks in California have come to together to create a stable distribution system for fresh vegetables and fruit, in a program called the California Association of Food Banks (CAFB). This association and its Farm to Family program distribute fresh produce from farmers to people in need of food throughout California. Its distribution network effectively moves fresh produce from farms to urban areas, often far from agricultural areas where the food is grown.
California Association of Food Banks estimates 80 million pounds (about 36,000 tons) of produce distribution in 2009. (Photo courtesy of California Association of Food Banks)
The program started in response to the sharp rise in food prices and an increase in unemployment, as well as the decrease in the total amount of canned food and cereal available for donation from food manufacturers; this decrease was due to increased efficiency in supply chain management, thereby decreasing surplus food available for food banks. In our recent economic environment, the gap between the amount of food available to food banks and the amount food needed by working-poor families has been widening. In efforts to mend this gap, food banks across the country moved to collect excess fruit and vegetables from farms and distribute them to the hungry. In California, where there was an abundance of agriculture yet still the hungry were still not receiving enough food, the CAFB started the Farm to Family program in 2006.
Food collection for the program begins at farms with excess produce that otherwise might be dumped. Product that is not marketable is separated at the packinghouses, with expenses covered either by the farm or by CAFB, and is donated or sold to CAFB for a few cents per kilogram. Farmers are happy to help those in need through food banks. Dan Van Groningen, Van Groningen & Sons, Inc. recalls leaving some produce in the field, rather than harvesting it. With the Farm to Family program, he says, “now we know there is a home for this product, then we will actually harvest it. We like the feeling that this product is gonna go to needy families.” ¹
The Farm to Family program then ships roughly 50 truckloads of produce per week to food banks across the state in large bins, which are repackaged to smaller bags in the food bank warehouses by volunteers. These are then distributed through food pantries, soup kitchens and other means. While the idea seems simple enough, the program could not work without the support of many people. Gary Maxworthy, the Farm to Family founder and a board member of SF Food Bank, describes the main requirements for a program distributing perishable foods: “you need a refrigerated space, you need volunteers to be able to sort it, you need to be able to distribute it within a few days.”
Through the efforts of CAFB, fruit and vegetables now make up roughly 60% of all foodstuffs distributed by the San Francisco Food Bank. This figure is roughly 50% at the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Both are truly impressive figures, considering that only 5 years ago, the percentage of fresh produce distributed was less than 10%.
Fresh vegetables and fruit are handed out at pantries like this. Leaflets on maintaining a healthy diet are also handed out at pantries. (Photo courtesy of California Association of Food Banks)
Research shows that poor diet is leading to a higher rate of obesity among low-income families including young children.² The Farm to Family program not only helps families facing economic hardships, but also helps individuals adopt a nutritious diet of fruit and vegetables. Michael Flood, the executive director of LA Regional Food Bank, says that the program is important for bringing in nutritious products for clients who “may not have access to these items, or can’t really afford them, given their food budgets.” A mother interviewed at a distribution site echoes that statement: “It means more healthy food for my kids.”
Vicki Escarra, the president of Feeding America, says that there is “an almost unlimited supply of produce that’s not being adequately distributed,” and praises the Farm to Family program as an innovative solution.³
In Japan, 2HJ does not have an extensive network like CAFB at the moment. But the CAFB’s program inspires us to establish a similar program in Japan in the future.
We also welcome your comments and thoughts. Mail us at info@2hj.org and follow us on Twitter for the latest news about food banking in Japan (@2HJ_en in English, @2ndharvestjapan in Japanese).
References
¹ All quotations come from a video on the Farm to Family program, linked to from the California Association of Food Banks website unless otherwise specified.
² American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 79, No. 1, 6-16, January 2004
³ The New York Times, California’s Food Banks Go Locavore
If you like this story, you might also enjoy:
Office Manager Masahiro Otake’s U.S. Food Bank Travelogue Vol. 1
2HJ’s new video - Thank you very much for your support!
Link to News story »
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
The year 2010 marks the 10th anniversary of foodbanking in Japan
In 2000 a group of keen volunteers got together to start the first food bank in Japan. Ten years later as much as 5 million to 9 million tons of foods still suitable for eating are thrown away nationwide, while more than 650,000 people cannot afford to buy enough food. The need for our activities will grow in the future.
Reflecting on our activities in the last decade makes us realize that our advancement so far has depended on countless supporters. Volunteers, donors, sponsors, and many others who support us have helped to shape what we are today. To those supporters we would like to extend our sincere gratitude.
To show our appreciation of tremendous supports for us so far, we are planning two celebrations. We look forward to seeing you at each event.
1) 10th anniversary party on April 21
Charles E. McJilton, executive director, and new management staff members will give many thanks to supporters and talk about designs for food banking in Japan in the next 10 years as well as the first 10 years of 2HJ. This will be a good opportunity to meet and chat with volunteers, donors, sponsors, and 2HJ’s staff. For details please click here.
2) 10th anniversary charity concert and rice drive on April 24
A classical concert by long-time 2HJ supporter musicians, AND a rice drive! Your rice donation will be appreciated. For details please click here.
We at 2HJ look forward to seeing you at each event.
Link to News story »Monday, March 22, 2010
Now 2HJ has the new office manager!
Second Harvest Japan (2HJ) has promoted Masahiro Otake, a staff member in charge of business development and logistics, to a new position as office manager. We interviewed Otake and he tells us what he wants to do as the new office manager.
The new Office Manager, Otake (the middle), at the Global Foodbanking Network training.
How do you feel to become the office manager?
“It doesn’t feel real yet, especially because most parts of my work will remain the same as before for a while.”
Then, tell us about your current role at 2HJ.
“My main role is to pick up and deliver food donations, and to negotiate with food donors. 2HJ signed contracts with 88 food corporations last year alone. I receive at least one new inquiry from companies per day. It’s very busy.”
“Besides that, I speak to students at middle schools and high schools about 2HJ and foodbanking. Also, I conduct exhibitions at events such as Eco Products so that we can raise awareness of foodbanking.”
So, awareness raising is a key part of your work?
“I think awareness of foodbanking not only among food companies but also among the public is extremely important. Regarding food donations, to let donors know and understand our activities, agree about the way we deliver food, and be supportive of our mission is the key. For that, communication with donors through events and media is important.”
What do you expect to happen as the result of awareness raising?
“Our ultimate goal is that each prefecture in Japan will have at least one food bank in 5 or 10 years. But I recognize that there are huge awareness gap among people depending on areas. I think there are many people potentially interested in starting food banks in different areas. So, it’s our job to raise awareness of foodbanking so that those people can start food banks more smoothly.”
“At the same time, the system to connect nation-wide food companies with local food-banks is important. Through the national food-bank network that 2HJ is trying to establish, food banks in different areas can supplement each other’s stock. That’s the merit of the national network.”
Anything you would like to say to volunteers and donors?
“There is nothing but thank-you to them. They give us a lot just for the sake of giving. This makes me feel that 2HJ is not working by itself. It’s working thanks to support from many people. I feel expectations from them and feel very responsible. 2HJ’s role as a leading food bank in Japan is very big. I will do my job with a strong sense of responsibility.”
Thank you, Otake.
2HJ will be different with the new office manager. But our mission, food for all people, and our activity of delivering unmarketable food to those in need will not change. Food banking started in America and we need your support to let it grow in Japan, in which mottainai, the Japanese ethic of trying to avoid waste, and otagaisama, an ethic that values helping each other when in need, prevail.
Otake participated in a training held by the Global Food Banking Network (GFN) in San Antonio, Texas, from March 2 through 5. The training brought together food bank representatives from 23 countries. He will report about the training soon. Please look forward to his news from GFN.
If you like this story, you might also enjoy:
Office Manager Masahiro Otake’s U.S. Food Bank Travelogue Vol. 1
Announcement of the executive director’s relocation to the U.S.
Link to News story »
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Announcement of the executive director’s relocation to the U.S.
We would like to announce that Second Harvest Japan’s executive director, Charles McJilton, will move to the U.S. in October 2010 for personal reasons. McJilton will remain as the chair of the board and continue to participate in the governance of the organization while daily operations in Japan will be managed by the new management team including the new office manager, Masahiro Otake. We will make every effort to make this transition as smooth as possible. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions as to this matter. We greatly appreciate your continued supports.
Second Harvest Japan
if you like this story, you might also enjoy:
Now 2HJ has the new office manager!
Link to News story »
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