1st "Japan Agricultural News School Lunch Award" Announced: Grand Prix goes to Toma Town Rice Paddies School (Hokkaido), Recognizing School Lunch Initiatives that Foster Understanding of Agriculture and Food

The Japan Agricultural News has established the "School Lunch Award" as one of the projects commemorating its 100th anniversary in March, Reiwa 10.

The purpose of this award is to widely disseminate examples of initiatives that go beyond just school lunch menus, focusing on overall school lunch efforts such as cooperation with local communities for food procurement and interaction with producers, thereby fostering an understanding of agriculture and food.

For the first award, selected cases were chosen from the "Kyushoku Hyakkei" (One Hundred School Lunch Scenes) series, which began in April, Reiwa 5.

As a result of rigorous deliberation by the final judging committee, chaired by Mr. Naoki Ogi, an educational critic and honorary professor at Hosei University, "Toma Town Rice Paddies School" was selected for the Grand Prix. In addition, one award each was selected for the departmental awards: Food Education Award, Local Production for Local Consumption Award, Food Culture Award, and a Special Award.

- Award Ceremony in Tokyo on May 8th

On May 8th, Mr. Ogi will present awards to each recipient at the "56th Japan Agricultural News National Convention" to be held in Tokyo (Venue: Hotel New Otani Tokyo, 4-1 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo).

## Overall Review by Chairman Ogi

The "School Lunch Award" not only considered the school lunch itself but also its background, including food education, local production for local consumption, and food culture. All the examples, starting with the Grand Prix winner "Toma Town Rice Paddies School," fostered humanity and pride in the region through experiences of "receiving life" and "protecting life." Through school lunches, not only children but also administrators, parents, and farmers are connecting, creating exchanges in the community. We hope that more regions will become closely involved with agriculture through children.

Mr. Naoki Ogi, Chairman of the Judging Committee (Educational Critic, Honorary Professor at Hosei University)

- Judges
- Mr. Naoki Ogi (Educational Critic, Honorary Professor at Hosei University) *Chairman
- Ms. Mihoko Nagashima (President, National School Nutritionists Association)
- Mr. Naokazu Murayama (Counselor, Consumer Affairs and Food Education Division, Consumer Affairs and Food Safety Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)
- Ms. Izumi Yakuwa (Director, JA National Women's Organization Council, Chairperson, Yamagata Prefecture JA Women's Organization Council Fresh MIZU Department)
- Mr. Washiro Tamiya (President and CEO, Japan Agricultural News)

## Grand Prix

Toma Town Rice Paddies School (Hokkaido) Published in this paper on June 13, 2023
https://www.agrinews.co.jp/society/index/162326

### Overview

At Toma Town Rice Paddies School in Hokkaido, local elementary and junior high school students grow rice in over one hectare of town-owned rice paddies, achieving "year-round self-sufficiency" by using it for daily school lunches. Local farmers serve as school principals, supporting the students. Through rice cultivation, they connect to the importance of food and an understanding of rice farming.

### Review

This initiative, where children eat rice they have grown themselves for school lunches, nurtures their "love for food." By securing a significant area of rice paddies, an environment has been created where children can actually touch rice plants and learn how food is produced. This has become a town-wide activity involving local governments and community stakeholders, serving as a symbol that fosters regional pride.

## Food Education Award

Ayagawa Town Tachimiya Elementary School (Kagawa Prefecture) Published in this paper on November 9, 2023
https://www.agrinews.co.jp/society/index/195047

### Overview

Ayagawa Town Tachimiya Elementary School in Kagawa Prefecture has been implementing "Bento Day" for 25 years, where children themselves plan their lunchbox menus, purchase ingredients, cook, arrange, and clean up. Children who experienced making lunchboxes are said to be "steadily embarking on a path to independence."

### Review

By having children make their own lunchboxes, including planning menus, purchasing ingredients, and cleaning up, they are provided with a deeper opportunity to learn about food. This initiative, where they think and act on their own about food, offers a different kind of learning experience than simply eating meals served as school lunches.

## Local Production for Local Consumption Award

Hino City, Tokyo Published in this paper on December 5, 2023
https://www.agrinews.co.jp/society/index/200569

### Overview

Hino City, Tokyo, has made it possible to use locally produced tomatoes year-round in school lunches by processing them into puree to fully utilize them. Local producers, nutritionists, cooks, JA, and the administration have worked together to establish and stabilize a system from raw material procurement to processing and supply.

### Review

The collaboration among stakeholders such as local governments, farmers, and nutritionists is well established, making it an organized initiative. As a result of this collaboration, the use of Hino-produced agricultural products in school lunches has further increased. This initiative clearly demonstrates a perspective of protecting local agriculture.

## Food Culture Award

Yoshikawa City, Saitama Prefecture Published in this paper on August 3, 2024
https://www.agrinews.co.jp/society/index/250057

### Overview

Yoshikawa City, Saitama Prefecture, has adopted a school lunch menu using catfish, a traditional local food. Catfish, which has long been a familiar ingredient for children