St. Cousair Foundation Announces Transition to a Public Interest Incorporated Foundation

The St. Cousair Foundation (Location: 2249-1 Hiraoka, Shinano-machi, Kamiminochi-gun, Nagano / Representative Director: Mayumi Kuze / hereinafter, "the Foundation") has taken a new step as the "Public Interest Incorporated Foundation St. Cousair Foundation" after receiving public interest certification from the Cabinet Office. The Foundation was established on December 21, 2023, by Ryuzo and Mayumi Kuze, the founders of St. Cousair Co., Ltd., and the company itself. To date, it has undertaken 43 support initiatives totaling 10.25 million yen, including donations for the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake and grant projects for children's cafeterias in Nagano Prefecture. We sincerely accept this public interest certification as a sign of society's trust and expectations. Aware of our responsibility as a public interest corporation, we will strive for activities with higher public benefit, transparency, and reliability. The Journey of the St. Cousair Foundation Since its establishment on December 21, 2023, under the aspiration "A table with love and joy for everyone. A warm light for everyone," the Foundation has been working to support groups and individuals engaged in food-related support activities. 2024: Disaster relief donations for the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake - Hokuriku Charity Restaurant: 2 million yen - Ishikawa Prefecture: 500,000 yen. 2025: 1st "Creating a Table with Love and Joy" Grant Project (FY2025) - Children's cafeterias, etc.: 16 cases, total 1.6 million yen - Intermediary support organizations: 3 cases, total 1.15 million yen. 2026: 2nd "Creating a Table with Love and Joy" Grant Project (FY2026) - "Sharing Bread" course: 15 cases, total 1.5 million yen - "One Sheep" course: 7 cases, total 3.5 million yen. To date, we have provided support in 43 cases, totaling 10.25 million yen. Future Initiatives As a public interest incorporated foundation, we will promote the following initiatives in Japan and overseas: 1. Grant projects for groups and individuals addressing poverty, isolation, and loneliness among children, the elderly, and the needy, as well as support for developing countries, conflict zones, refugees, and food/food education. 2. Support projects providing food and living supplies to disaster-stricken areas. 3. Research projects on reducing food loss and supporting food education. 4. Organizing symposiums, lectures, cooking classes, and training sessions on improving dietary habits and food education. 5. Other necessary projects to achieve our foundation's objectives. Founder Interview Release Announcement In line with the transition to a public interest incorporated foundation, we have released an interview with the founders, Ryuzo and Mayumi Kuze. The three-part series (Part 1, 2, 3) details their journey and thoughts leading to the foundation's establishment. Comments from Mayumi and Ryuzo Kuze: Mayumi Kuze (Representative Director): "To those involved in children's cafeterias, I want to say, 'You are doing truly noble work.' It is a vital activity that saves and supports human lives. We are a small foundation, but we will strive to spread 'a table with love and joy.'" Ryuzo Kuze (Councilor): "The St. Cousair Foundation is also taking a small step, but it may become an unimaginable presence in the future. Just as in Japan, we hope to realize our dreams in America and Asia, where we do business, by earning the trust of and contributing to the local people."