Pasco's First Baby Food Launch: 'Nigipaku Friends' Focused on 'Self-Feeding' to Begin Test Sales on Makuake This Summer

Shikishima Bakery Co., Ltd. (Pasco) is launching its first baby food brand, 'Nigipaku Friends,' as the first initiative to commercialize employee ideas. Starting Tuesday, June 30, 2026, the company will begin test sales of the 'Nigipaku Friends Saury Hamburger' through the crowdfunding platform Makuake.

▼ 'Nigipaku Friends' Teaser Site

https://www.pasconet.co.jp/nigipakufriends/

About 'Nigipaku Friends'

'Nigipaku Friends' is a baby food brand focused on 'self-feeding'—a crucial activity for developing eating skills during weaning. It supports both children's desire to 'eat by myself' and parents' wish to 'reduce the burden as much as possible.' As its first product, the 'Nigipaku Friends Saury Hamburger,' primarily made from saury, will be available from June 30, 2026. With no cooking required, room-temperature storage, and an easy-to-hold shape, it gently nurtures a child's ability to eat independently, even on busy days.

Pasco's First Baby Food Development Project

The project originated from the parenting experience of Lin, an employee and mother of two, who proposed the idea.

'I must make sure my child eats properly.'

'I worked so hard, but they won't eat it.'

Because of deep parental care, mealtimes themselves can become a burden.

Facing these struggles during weaning, Lin realized: 'It's okay to rely more on products and services,' and 'Parenting doesn't have to be done alone.' To bring this idea to life, she entered an internal contest to turn employee ideas into business ventures. Seizing the opportunity, Pasco launched its first baby food project focused on 'self-feeding.'

Why 'Self-Feeding' Now?

With the rise of dual-income households and changing lifestyles, demand for time-saving and low-effort solutions in weaning and toddler meals is increasing.

At the same time, 'self-feeding' is recognized as an important mealtime practice that fosters children's independence and self-motivation. However, challenges remain—such as the difficulty of preparation and cleanup, and the lack of commercially available baby foods suitable for self-feeding, often requiring homemade alternatives. During product development research, many parents expressed concerns like, 'I want my child to eat fish, but cooking it is too time-consuming.'

'Nigipaku Friends' was developed as a new baby food that addresses these real parenting challenges, making 'self-feeding' more accessible and enjoyable.

It aims to nurture children's sense of achievement from 'I did it myself!' while creating joyful family mealtimes, even on busy days.

Product Features

Designed for Easy 'Self-Feeding'

Features a size easy for a one-year-old's small hands to grip, with a texture soft enough to be mashed by gums.

Encourages children's motivation to 'eat by myself' and leads to the success experience of 'I did it!'

Making Saury-Based Nutrition More Accessible

Contains saury rich in DHA, EPA, calcium, and vitamin D.

A gently flavored baby food that reduces the burden of fish preparation while being easy to incorporate into daily meals.

No Cooking Required, Room-Temperature Storage

Ready to eat after opening, and can be stored at room temperature.

Ideal for quick meals on busy days, outings, stockpiling, or emergency preparedness.

Makuake Project Overview

Project Name: [Pasco's First Baby Food Development] 'Nigipaku Friends' Focused on 'Self-Feeding'

Duration: June 30, 2026 (Tue) to July 31, 2026 (Fri), tentatively

Product Name: Nigipaku Friends Saury Hamburger

Proposer: Shikishima Bakery Co., Ltd.

'Nigipaku Friends' Teaser Site: https://www.pasconet.co.jp/nigipakufriends/

Platform: Makuake

Company Overview

Name: Shikishima Bakery Co., Ltd.

Head Office: 5-3 Shirakabe, Higashi-ku, Nagoya City 461-8721, Japan

President & CEO: Juno Morita

Business: Manufacturing and sales of bread, Japanese and Western confectionery

Founded: June 1920 (Taisho 9)

URL: https://www.pasconet.co.jp/

Customer Inquiries

Customer Service Center (Toll-Free): TEL: 0120-084-835

[Hours] 9:00–17:00 (Monday to Friday, excluding summer holidays, year-end/new year, and certain public holidays)