Bringing Solutions from 150 Exhibitors to the Labor-Starved, Inflation-Hit 'Food Frontlines' in Fukushima: Nikkane Hosts First 'Grand Exhibition 2026 in Fukushima' in 11 Years on May 13

[Nikkane Co., Ltd. Grand Exhibition 2026 in Fukushima]

Nikkane Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kaminokawa-machi, Kawachi-gun, Tochigi Prefecture, President: Yosuke Kaneda, hereinafter 'the Company'), a commercial food wholesaler, will host the 'Grand Exhibition 2026 in Fukushima' at Big Palette Fukushima (Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture) on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

This exhibition is the region's largest comprehensive food exhibition, bringing together food, ingredients, and solutions from about 150 companies under one roof, targeting professionals in elderly care facilities, hospitals, school catering, corporate cafeterias, and the restaurant industry. It is the first time in about 11 years since 2015 that the event is held in Fukushima Prefecture. To respond to the 'troubles' of the food frontlines facing the double whammy of soaring prices and severe labor shortages, we have launched a special website today with detailed information.

■ 'Grand Exhibition 2026 in Fukushima' Special Website
https://www.nikkane.com/exhibition/2026fukushima/

■ Background: '3 Severe Challenges' Faced by Catering Sites in Fukushima
The customer base of our Fukushima Branch consists of approximately 85% catering-related facilities (elderly care 35%, corporate cafeterias 25%, hospitals 15%, childcare facilities 14%). At these sites, the following three challenges have become extremely severe.

Operational Limits: They want to run the site even with a small number of staff.
Increased Cooking Burden: They want to reduce the time and effort required for cooking.
Menu Creation Fatigue: They want to lighten the burden of creating menus amidst soaring prices.

■ Features of the Exhibition
1. '6 Specialized Experience Corners' directly linked to site needs
- Hospitals/Nursing Homes: Nutritional supplements, soft foods, frozen cut vegetables, etc.
- Industrial Catering: Low-salt/low-calorie ingredients, cost-reduction menus, etc.
- Restaurants: Japanese/Western/Chinese ingredients, frozen raw materials, alcohol/drinks, etc.
- Fully-Cooked/Frozen Bento: Time-saving and ready-made solutions, etc.
- Daily Deliveries: Fresh produce, meat/seafood, chilled dairy, bread, etc.
- Private Brands: Uoshu, Hatasen, JFDA, ATACO, etc., our unique high-quality lineup

2. Free specialized seminars directly linked to practical work
Seminar 1: 'Overcoming Labor Shortages and Price Hikes: Smart Use of Ready-Made Products' (Speaker: Ms. Keiko Hirabayashi, Umios Co., Ltd.)
Seminar 2: 'Introduction to Food Hygiene and Food Poisoning Prevention' (Speaker: Mr. Takashi Mizuno, Niitaka Co., Ltd.)

■ Message from Yosuke Kaneda, President and Representative Director
Thanks to your support, we celebrated our 50th anniversary last year, and our new logistics hub is now fully operational.
As a new step forward, this year we will hold our grand exhibition in 'Fukushima' for the first time in exactly 11 years.
The Fukushima Branch is our most important base supporting the Tohoku and Northern Kanto areas in deep cooperation with Sendai, Iwaki, and Nasu.
With the supply system revamped on our 50th anniversary, we will deliver essential food ingredients 365 days a year, more accurately and efficiently.
This time's theme is 'A New Era of Food Drawn by Safety, Security, and Efficiency.'
We have prepared numerous cutting-edge solutions to reduce the burden on frontlines facing challenges like labor shortages.
Please experience our determination to support you as a 'company that stands by people and the region' at the venue.

■ Scenes from Past Exhibitions
[Partner Company Booth] [Private Brand: ATACO Booth]
[Experience Corner: Taste Testing] [Experience Corner: Dessert Sweets Buffet]
[Cut Vegetables] [Fully-Cooked Products]
[Grand Lottery for Attendees] [Collaboration with Local Mascot]
*The photos shown are from past exhibitions. Products and prices in the photos may differ from current ones.

■ Event Overview
Event Name: Grand Exhibition 2026 in Fukushima
~A New Era of 'Food' Drawn by Safety, Security, and Efficiency~
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 9:30 - 17:00
Venue: Big Palette Fukushima, Halls A & B
(2-52 Minami, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture)
Admission: Free (Advance registration required)
Number of Exhibitors: 150 companies
Target Audience: Professionals in hospitals, nursing homes, catering, and restaurants
Advance Registration: https://e-ve.event-form.jp/event/125718/fiKROb
Inquiries: Nikkane Co., Ltd. Fukushima Branch TEL: 0243-24-6888

*This exhibition is for industry professionals. Ge...