Gunma Direct-from-Producer Council “Megurunma” Holds 11th General Meeting, Adds Three Full Members and Announces 2035 Vision

Pal System Gunma Consumers’ Co-operative Union, headquartered in Nakarui-machi, Takasaki City and chaired by Makiko Ohira, participated in the 11th general meeting of the Gunma direct-from-producer council “Megurunma” on Wednesday, April 29, at Takasaki Washington Hotel Plaza. The meeting approved the addition of three organizations as full members and reported the formulation of the “Megurunma 2035 Vision.” Megurunma was established jointly by Pal System Gunma, three production area groups in Gunma Prefecture — Yasai Club in Showa Village, Kurabuchi Kusa no Kai in Takasaki City, and the Tonegawa Producers Group in Isesaki City — and the Pal System Consumers’ Co-operative Union, headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo and chaired by Haruyuki Shibusawa. The council promotes mutual understanding through exchanges between users and producers and by encouraging local production for local consumption. The general meeting was attended by 31 representatives and others from Megurunma full member organizations. All six agenda items, including the fiscal 2025 business activity report and the fiscal 2026 business activity plan, were approved. In the fiscal 2026 officer election, Hiroyuki Wada of Kurabuchi Kusa no Kai was selected as the new chair. Under the agenda item approving full members, three organizations were confirmed as new additions: Tomo Dairy Direct Sales Co., Ltd. of Ota City, Haruna Direct Sales Co., Ltd. of Takasaki City, and Prema Co., Ltd. of Maebashi City. Tomo Dairy Direct Sales and Haruna Direct Sales transitioned from supporting members, while Prema joined as a new member. As a result, the number of full members has grown to eight. Marking its 10th anniversary, the council is expanding its network into diverse fields such as dairy farming and manufacturing. A 10th anniversary ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, November 11, 2026. The meeting also reported the “Megurunma 2035 Vision,” formulated on the occasion of the council’s 10th anniversary. Looking ahead to the next decade, the vision sets out what Megurunma aims to become by 2035. Based on three vision statements, the council will communicate the value of rich food culture and direct-from-producer initiatives through exchange programs involving the original three production areas and the new full members. The three Megurunma 2035 Vision statements are: first, Megurunma will become an organization that brightly and enjoyably connects “eating” and “making.” Second, production areas and manufacturers that support Megurunma will expand, spreading food safety and peace of mind throughout the region through the strength of the network. Third, Megurunma will communicate the ideas behind its products, encourage many people to use them, and pass them on to the next generation. Pal System Gunma will continue to bring producers and consumers closer together and promote sustainable food and agriculture.