JA Tsumagoi Village and Second Harvest Japan Launch New Model for Sustainable Food Support

Tsumagoi Village Agricultural Cooperative (Location: Tsumagoi Village, Agatsuma District, Gunma Prefecture, Representative Director and Cooperative Chairman: Sōhisa Kuroiwa, hereinafter "JA Tsumagoi Village") and Certified Non-Profit Organization Second Harvest Japan (Location: Taito Ward, Tokyo, CEO: Yūji Shibata, hereinafter "2HJ") have launched a regular and continuous donation scheme for genuine brand cabbages, based on a partnership agreement announced on June 10, 2026. As the first shipment, 1 pallet (70 cases) of cabbage was transported from JA Tsumagoi Village to the 2HJ Saitama base on June 29.

(Photo right: Chairman Kuroiwa, left: CEO Shibata) at the signing ceremony on June 10. First donation of cabbage, departure scene.

This initiative plans to continuously donate 1 pallet (70 cases) of cabbage from JA Tsumagoi Village to 2HJ every Monday from July to October 2026. The total donation volume during this period is expected to be approximately 1000 cases*.

*Estimate based on the planned number of donations from July to October.

For transportation, JA Tsumagoi Village is utilizing a portion of the space on transport vehicles normally used for regular fruit and vegetable distribution. By leveraging existing logistics networks without establishing a new transportation system, the scheme has been launched as a sustainable donation program with minimal additional burden.

In contrast to initiatives utilizing surplus or non-standard products, this program will systematically and continuously donate genuine brand cabbages intended for market distribution, with the objective of social contribution. Furthermore, by utilizing existing distribution networks for the necessary logistics, a sustainable and manageable system has been established. This initiative, combining the continuous donation of genuine agricultural products with a sustainable logistics scheme to support it, can be considered one of the pioneering examples in Japan.

JA Tsumagoi Village and 2HJ, driven by a shared awareness of the challenge of contributing to social problem-solving through agriculture, the region's core industry, have engaged in extensive discussions leading to the establishment of this scheme. Fresh cabbages delivered from Tsumagoi Village, known as one of Japan's leading cabbage-producing areas, will be distributed through 2HJ to partner food pantries, welfare facilities, and others, reaching those in need of food support.

Distribution to 2HJ partner organizations that came to pick up the produce.

JA Tsumagoi Village and 2HJ will first focus on establishing and improving the operation of this scheme. In the future, they aim to develop a sustainable food support model, with consideration for expansion to other regions and product categories of products.