Iruma City: Handmade School Lunches Bring Smiles to Children Through Passionate On-site Efforts; Donation Received from GL Sciences Inc. via Corporate Furusato Nozei
Iruma City in Saitama Prefecture has received a donation from GL Sciences Inc. through the 'Corporate Furusato Nozei' system. The funds will support the city's unique 'fully handmade' school lunch program, enhancing food education and children's well-being.
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- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 05:00
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Iruma City, Saitama Prefecture (Mayor: Riichiro Sugishima), has received a donation from GL Sciences Inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku, Tokyo; President: Yoshihiro Nagami) through the Corporate Furusato Nozei (Regional Revitalization Support Tax System). A ceremony for the presentation of the donation catalog and certificate of appreciation was held on Friday, March 13, 2026.
The donation will be utilized for the school lunch project that supports the 'Safe, Secure, and Delicious Handmade School Lunches' of which Iruma City is nationally proud.
### Iruma's Commitment to Fully Handmade School Lunches
Iruma City's school lunches are uniquely strong due to their strict adherence to handmade processes. They use no ingredients containing chemical seasonings or additives, nor any pre-processed frozen foods. Everything, from broth extracted from raw materials to curry roux and desserts, is made from scratch.
All 16 elementary schools in the city adopt an 'on-site system' where kitchens are located on the school premises. This allows students to experience the aroma of cooking and participate in food preparation, serving as a vital space for 'food education' that engages all five senses.
While middle school lunches are currently prepared at a central center, a new school lunch center capable of preparing up to 4,500 meals a day is scheduled to begin operations in the second semester of 2026. The city continues to invest in food safety and enhancement.
### Passion of On-site Cooks and Use of Donations
The quality of Iruma's school lunches is sustained by the intense passion of the city's cooks. There is a famous anecdote where cooks requested an oven to make gratin for children's joy, rather than equipment to make their own work environment easier. This professional pride realizes today's high-quality lunches.
GL Sciences' donation will be used for kitchen equipment to protect these safe lunches and create meals that make children smile.
### Comment from Riichiro Sugishima, Mayor of Iruma City
'Iruma's school lunches are supported by the strong desire of our staff to make children happy. Even as times change, we are determined to protect this handmade tradition. We will use this donation effectively for children's smiles and to allow our cooks to work with pride. I sincerely thank GL Sciences for their support for the second consecutive year.'
### Comment from Kyoji Shinkai, Director of GL Sciences Inc.
'Our company is in its 59th year, and we have been in Iruma City for 51 years since relocating our factory in 1975. We wish to give back to the community that has raised us. We endorse Iruma's projects for children and hope our donation helps the safety and growth of the children who will lead the future.'
### About Iruma City
Located about an hour from the metropolitan area, Iruma is known for its beautiful tea plantations, being the northernmost major production area of Sayama Tea. The city was selected as an 'SDGs Future City' in 2022 and aims to become a 'Well-being City' by creating and passing on a 'future landscape of the heart.' Through the 'Iruma Future Co-creation Lab,' the city promotes various next-generation urban development projects in collaboration with private sectors.
The donation will be utilized for the school lunch project that supports the 'Safe, Secure, and Delicious Handmade School Lunches' of which Iruma City is nationally proud.
### Iruma's Commitment to Fully Handmade School Lunches
Iruma City's school lunches are uniquely strong due to their strict adherence to handmade processes. They use no ingredients containing chemical seasonings or additives, nor any pre-processed frozen foods. Everything, from broth extracted from raw materials to curry roux and desserts, is made from scratch.
All 16 elementary schools in the city adopt an 'on-site system' where kitchens are located on the school premises. This allows students to experience the aroma of cooking and participate in food preparation, serving as a vital space for 'food education' that engages all five senses.
While middle school lunches are currently prepared at a central center, a new school lunch center capable of preparing up to 4,500 meals a day is scheduled to begin operations in the second semester of 2026. The city continues to invest in food safety and enhancement.
### Passion of On-site Cooks and Use of Donations
The quality of Iruma's school lunches is sustained by the intense passion of the city's cooks. There is a famous anecdote where cooks requested an oven to make gratin for children's joy, rather than equipment to make their own work environment easier. This professional pride realizes today's high-quality lunches.
GL Sciences' donation will be used for kitchen equipment to protect these safe lunches and create meals that make children smile.
### Comment from Riichiro Sugishima, Mayor of Iruma City
'Iruma's school lunches are supported by the strong desire of our staff to make children happy. Even as times change, we are determined to protect this handmade tradition. We will use this donation effectively for children's smiles and to allow our cooks to work with pride. I sincerely thank GL Sciences for their support for the second consecutive year.'
### Comment from Kyoji Shinkai, Director of GL Sciences Inc.
'Our company is in its 59th year, and we have been in Iruma City for 51 years since relocating our factory in 1975. We wish to give back to the community that has raised us. We endorse Iruma's projects for children and hope our donation helps the safety and growth of the children who will lead the future.'
### About Iruma City
Located about an hour from the metropolitan area, Iruma is known for its beautiful tea plantations, being the northernmost major production area of Sayama Tea. The city was selected as an 'SDGs Future City' in 2022 and aims to become a 'Well-being City' by creating and passing on a 'future landscape of the heart.' Through the 'Iruma Future Co-creation Lab,' the city promotes various next-generation urban development projects in collaboration with private sectors.
FAQ
What is the main feature of Iruma City's school lunch?
It is '100% handmade,' which is rare in Japan. They use no chemical additives or frozen foods, preparing everything from broth to curry roux from scratch.
How will GL Sciences' donation be used?
It will be used for updating kitchen equipment and facilities to maintain the high quality and safety of the school lunches that bring smiles to children.
What is Corporate Furusato Nozei?
It is a system where companies can receive tax credits for corporate taxes by donating to regional revitalization projects conducted by municipalities.