#Sustainability #Japan #Tokyo #Salad Club #Agricultural Excellence

Celebrating the Grower of Salad Club 2026

On April 17, 2023, Salad Club Co., Ltd., led by President Akihito Shintani, held the 10th annual "Grower of Salad Club 2026" ceremony at Kazuyama Hall in Chiyoda, Tokyo. This event serves to honor contract farms that have made significant contributions to the company and their commitment to providing high-quality produce.

Since its inception in 2017, the Grower of Salad Club has been an important part of Salad Club’s initiatives to build transparent relationships with agricultural producers, emphasizing the importance of gratitude towards their partners. This year, the company recognized six farms with the “Grand Prize”, twelve with the “Excellence Award”, and three with the “Special Award”. These awards were based on the quality and stable supply of key ingredients, primarily lettuce.

A key aspect of Salad Club’s procurement strategy is the commitment to transparent and reliable sources of vegetables. By establishing clear evaluation criteria for quality, the company ensures consistent standards across all its products. The recent awards were based on scores received from factories evaluating the produce during the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

During the awards ceremony, President Shintani expressed sincere appreciation for the efforts of all partner farms and the critical role their produce plays in delivering safe and high-quality salads. He remarked that these relationships are vital not only for ensuring high standards of production but also for the stability and planning of the farmers’ businesses—allowing for both security and strategic investments in their operations.

Shintani also outlined the company’s commitment to "domestically sourced ingredients" and initiatives toward market innovation, such as “Pack Veggie”, while addressing the challenges posed by climate change. He stressed the importance of unity between the business and farmers to overcome these obstacles, reflecting a strong team spirit in times of adversity.

Keiichiro Kobayashi, the Executive Vice President in charge of raw material procurement, reiterated the importance of collaboration with agricultural producers in maintaining the quality and supply of vegetables. He explained the unique evaluation system Salad Club employs for assessing product quality, which includes a radar chart feedback system that helps enhance quality year after year.

This year's award winners were not only celebrated for their quality but also for their collaboration in new product developments, such as Salad Club's inaugural baby leaf products and new broccoli series. By nurturing strong relationships with their producers, Salad Club aims to continue improving products and service offerings, aligning with their commitment to sustainability in agriculture and society.

Achievements

Grand Prize Winners

• - [List of farms]

Excellence Award Winners

• - [List of farms]

Special Award Winners

• - [List of farms]

About Salad Club Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1999 through a partnership between Kewpie Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation, Salad Club has focused on delivering superb quality packaged salads that are ready to eat without washing. With a stronghold in the packaged salad market, the company now enjoys the highest market share in Japan as of December 2025, with approximately 18,200 sales locations.

Commitment to Sustainability

Salad Club actively works on sustainability initiatives, focusing on reducing food waste from producers to households. Their methods include stable sourcing partnerships and innovative approaches to production, such as composting unused vegetable parts generated in factories and minimizing waste through extended product freshness. More details on their sustainability efforts can be found on their sustainability page.

Our Vision

At Salad Club, we believe in enriching meals with vibrant vegetables, promoting a balanced diet for better health and well-being. We remain committed to enhancing the appeal of salads and contributing to global food and health.