Tetra Pak Launches Japan's First Rolling-Stock Disaster Preparedness Experiment Using School Lunches in Yoron Town

Tetra Pak K.K., a provider of food processing equipment and carton filling packaging systems, launched a disaster preparedness pilot project in June 2026 in Yoron Town, Kagoshima Prefecture, utilizing long-life milk served in school lunches.

Long-life milk is highly suitable for both daily consumption and disaster stockpiling due to its ability to be stored long-term at room temperature. Because of these characteristics, it has long been used for school lunches, particularly in regions where chilled logistics are challenging. The foundation of this pilot is to use the milk provided in daily school lunches as part of a disaster stockpile without requiring special storage facilities.

This project is the first in Japan to verify a new disaster preparedness model using school lunch operations by implementing a 'rolling stock method,' where the long-life milk served in school lunches is consumed and replenished during normal times, simultaneously achieving food security during disasters and preventing missed school lunches.

Tetra Pak donated approximately 4,500 units of milk as initial inventory (representing about nine days of school supply), and Yoron Town will manage the inventory circulation in conjunction with school lunch operations.

■ Background: The Risk of Logistics Disruptions

Yoron Island frequently faces ferry cancellations or diversions due to typhoons and winter sea conditions. According to a survey by the dairy manufacturer supplying milk to Yoron Island schools, 26% of ferries from Kagoshima to Yoron were canceled, diverted, or subject to conditional operations in January 2026. Given the seasonality of these logistical constraints, the experiment began in June to coincide with the start of the typhoon season to test the model's effectiveness.

■ Key Features of the Initiative

Unlike traditional 'storage-without-use' stockpiling, this initiative establishes a new mechanism to maintain stockpiles within daily operations starting from school lunches.

1. Stockpiling Model Utilizing Existing School Lunch Infrastructure
By integrating stockpiling functions into the routine operations of school lunch centers and schools, this model reduces the hurdles for adoption without requiring new capital investments.

2. Rolling Stock Operations Integrating Consumption and Storage
By cycling inventory through daily consumption and replenishment, this method minimizes the risk of product expiration and waste while maintaining a stable stockpile.

3. Supply Design Balancing Daily Use and Disaster Response
Designed to be used as regular school lunches, the stock can be immediately diverted for disaster use or during logistics disruptions.

■ Experiment Overview

Based on Yoron Town's existing operations, this pilot systematically integrates initial inventory to manage long-life milk as a rolling stock.

○ Summary
- Content: Long-term room-temperature storage and rolling-stock operation of long-life milk for school lunches
- Initial Inventory: Approximately 4,500 units (donated by Tetra Pak)
- Scope: All elementary and junior high schools in Yoron Town (4 schools)
- Duration: Approximately one year starting June 2026
- Verification Items: Feasibility of inventory management, shelf-life management, operational workload, and usage during cancellations or disasters.