#Japan #Tokyo #Pal System #towel donation #Dairy Producers

Supporting Dairy Farmers: The 40th Towel Donation Campaign

From January 12 to January 23, the Pal System Cooperative Federation, based in Shinjuku, Tokyo, will launch its 40th annual "Towel Donation Campaign". This initiative invites participants to send towels and personal messages to dairy producers. The campaign began in 1985 at the suggestion of consumers who recognized the need for clean towels to dry cows' udders during milking.

Understanding the Campaign's Origin

The Towel Donation Campaign was born from a visit by consumers to dairy farms, where they learned from the farmers that clean towels were essential for maintaining hygienic milking practices. The low-temperature pasteurization used by Pal System requires milk with a low bacterial count, making the cleanliness of dairy equipment crucial. Through this campaign, participants not only donate towels but also express appreciation for the hard work of dairy producers. Farmers have shared heartfelt responses, noting how the messages inspire them to continue their efforts for those who enjoy their milk, especially as material costs rise.

Creating Connections between Consumers and Farmers

The Towel Donation Campaign also represents an important bond between consumers and farmers, allowing them to support each other even from afar. Initially, many households stored leftover towels from gifts that often went unused. The campaign smartly utilized this "untapped resource" by collecting these towels through their delivery network and sending them directly to milk-producing regions. For those who may not have unused towels to contribute, Pal System now encourages participation in a monetary contribution system to help source towels for delivery.

The Impact of the Campaign Over 40 Years

The towels are reused weekly, amounting to 10-15 towels per week per household, and over 2.8 million towels have been donated cumulatively since the campaign started. Last year alone, the campaign gathered 96,188 towels and 4,627 messages of support. The towels are sent to various milk production areas, including "Konzen 72 Milk" from Hokkaido and "Dairy Farmers' Milk" from Ibaraki and Saitama.

Scheduled presentations of the donated items will occur from February to March. The Pal System continues to aim for a society where producers and consumers cherish their connection, fostering a place where everyone can live safely and abundantly.

Learn More

For more details about the Pal System and the specific products offered, please visit:

• - Direct Production of Milk
• - Konzen 72 Milk
• - Dairy Farmer's Milk
• - Low-Fat Dairy Farmer's Milk
• - Iwate Okunakayama High-Quality Pasteurized Milk

The Pal System Cooperative Federation is located at 2-2-6 Okubo, Shinjuku, Tokyo, and is chaired by Atsuyuki Shibusawa. As of March 2025, the federation has over 1.76 million members, with a total business revenue of approximately 260.42 billion yen. Pal System includes various member cooperatives across different regions of Japan.