1. What is food banking?
- Food banking matches surplus food with welfare agencies, organizations, and groups that support those in need. This surplus food comes from a wide variety of sources such as manufacturers, importers, distributers, supermarkets, farmers, and individuals.
2. When did food banking begin?
- Food banking was started in 1967 in Phoenix, Arizona by John Van Hengel when he established St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance of Arizona.
3. What is Second Harvest Japan?
- We are the national food bank in Japan.
This is an outline of our activities:
4. When was Second Harvest Japan established?
- Food banking in Japan began in January 2000 when representatives from hot meal programs and other individuals met in Sanya, Tokyo to discuss how they could work more closely together to gather food supplies for their own programs.
- For two years this group worked together on various activities.
- Hiroshi Fujita called the first meeting in January 2000. At this meeting he and Charles McJilton were selected as co-representatives. Makoto Yuasa joined several months later and became a co-representative.
- Charles McJilton was a food banking pioneer. He traveled to the US in 2000 and visited the headquarters of Feeding America (then America’s Second Harvest) and met with Chris Rebstock, who is now acting CEO of the Global FoodBanking Network
- Charles went on to incorporate the first food bank in Japan on March 11, 2002.
- According to data supplied to the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development by the Japanese government, the poverty rate in Japan is 15.7%.
- Between 5-9 million tons according the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries.
- No, we do not.
- We are completely funded by donations.
- Unfortunately, we do not. However, The Salvation Army does accept clothing for their thrift shop.
- Saving on disposal and return costs. In 2010 donors will save roughly 80 million yen in waste and disposal fees by donating to Second Harvest Japan.
- Improved employee morale. No company likes to destroy their own product. Employees report feeling better about their own company knowing it donates instead of dumping.
- CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). Organizations like 2HJ offer corporations a chance to give back to society. In 2010 companies donated more than 480 million yen worth of food.
- Free marketing. Through a food bank, companies are able to get their products out to potential new users. By doing so their brand name is also associated with good works in the community, which fosters public support and higher sales.
- We are an NPO.
- We deliver food to approximately 170 agencies each month in the Kanto area.
- At least once a month, our truck will deliver food outside of the Kanto area.
- Since the disaster on March 11th, Second Harvest Japan sends packages twice a month to over 600 households in the Tohoku area.
- Throughout the year we deliver nationally using a logistics service.
- We estimated that in 2009 we delivered 1.9 million meals to approximately 220,000 people.
- There are currently more than 600 companies that have donated to us since 2002.
- Second Harvest Japan has been promoting the development of food banking since its incorporation in 2002.
- In 2008, 2009, and 2010 we conducted the National Food Bank Caravan in which we traveled throughout Japan meeting with local food banks, groups interested in food banking, and welfare agencies.
- In 2008, 2009, and 2010 we hosted the National Food Bank Symposium to bring together groups involved in food banking.
- In consultation with members of our Food Advisory Board (FAB) we created standards in 2009 and presented them at the 2009 National Food Bank Symposium for comment.
- In 2010 these standards were ratified by 10 other food banks.
- The standards lay down guidelines for how a food bank should operate, how food should be handled, and how agencies should be dealt with.
- We currently have seven full-time staff and eight part-time staff.
- Go to our “Volunteer Time” page, fill out the Volunteer Form, and send it to us.
- Unfortunately, donations are not tax deductible. However, if you are US citizen, or pay taxes in the US, we do have a non-profit in the US we work with that can provide with you a tax-deductible alternative. They are called Second Harvest Asia.
- The majority of our food is shelf-stable, non-perishable products such as canned or dry goods.
- We also pick up produce and bread each day at several Costco stores.
- We have the logistics to pick up and store chilled and frozen donations.
- Yes. All of our food is guaranteed by the donor that it is safe for human consumption and follows all laws and regulations regarding food.
- Our goal is to see the creation of a “Food Lifeline” and “Food Safety Net”
5. Who started food banking in Japan?
6. How many people in Japan live below the poverty line?
7. How much food is thrown away each year?
8. Do you accept expired food?
9. How do you support your operations?
10. Do you accept clothes?
11. Why do food donors give food to Second Harvest Japan for free? What benefit do they receive?
•There are four benefits to donating:
12. What type of legal entity is Second Harvest Japan?
13. How many people is Second Harvest Japan serving food to?
14. How many food companies and farmers are donating food to Second Harvest Japan?
15. Why did Second Harvest Japan and other food banks form the national food bank network? What is the purpose of the network?
16. How many people are working at Second Harvest Japan?
17. I want to volunteer at Second Harvest Japan, what should I do?
18. Is my donation tax deductible?
19. Typically what kinds of food are donated to Second Harvest Japan?
20. Are those food safe to eat?
21. What is the Second Harvest Japan’s future plan?
