#Japan #Seikatsu Club #Yusa Town #Shonai Yuyu Rice

Yusa Town's School Lunch Educational Program

In a unique initiative to promote agricultural education, the Seikatsu Club Cooperative Association organized the "Yusa Gotsu Day Learning Session" on January 30, 2026, at Yusa Junior High School in Yamagata Prefecture. The program gathered around 80 second-year students to learn about local agricultural products, particularly focusing on Yusa's own Shonai Yuyu rice. Members from the metropolitan area, alongside producers, conducted discussions and lectures on the significance of this local rice and its production methods.

The day began with student presentations that showcased the results of their research on local agriculture. In preparation for this session, the students attended classes conducted by local agricultural professionals on November 30 of the previous year. They explored diverse topics and developed presentations on various themes, including creating a Gapao rice dish using local specialties, producing a promotional video about Yusa's agricultural landscape, and brainstorming ways to protect agriculture from wild animals. This interactive engagement allowed students to delve deeply into their learning while exchanging ideas with local farmers.

Minoru Majima, a farmer and producer of Shonai Yuyu rice, emphasized the vital connection between agriculture and daily life, stating, "Even if you are not directly involved in agriculture, it inevitably affects your life through your food choices. It is increasingly important for students to ponder on improving agriculture as they grow."

Following these presentations, the 80 students gathered in the school hall to listen to lectures from Seikatsu Club members from Kanagawa and Saitama.

Understanding Local Rice through Collaboration

Masayo Kagoshima, Deputy Chair of Seikatsu Club Kanagawa, highlighted the collaboration in creating the Yusa-grown Shonai Yuyu rice, referred to as "co-developed rice." She explained, "This rice is the outcome of ongoing discussions between us, the consumers, and the producers, ensuring that our desires for safe food align with the farmers’ commitment to sustainable practices. We negotiate on cultivation methods and pricing, making this partnership somewhat unique in the industry. Taking part in this collaborative approach is vital to addressing the existing challenges and shaping the future we aspire to create. Our relationship with producers—who genuinely care and share their values—strengthens our community."

Nami Murayama, Chair of Seikatsu Club Saitama, shared three reasons for her preference for Yusa's Shonai Yuyu rice: its taste, transparency regarding who produces it, and the collaborative decision-making between producers and consumers on agricultural practices. She remarked, "It’s not just about relishing food; it's about understanding its journey from farm to table. I hope that as you contemplate your future careers, agriculture becomes one of your cherished options."

A Taste of Local Delicacies

The learning session concluded with students enjoying a special school lunch prepared from local ingredients while admiring the stunning backdrop of Mount Chokai through their classroom windows. The unique lunch menu featured:

• - Steamed Shonai Yuyu Rice from Yusa town
• - Salad with Yusa-grown vegetables dressed in salted kelp
• - Seasonal vegetable miso soup made from local produce
• - Pork cutlet from Kinka pigs raised in Yusa, provided by Hirata Farm
• - Yamagata-grown milk and dessert, including rice mousse

This school lunch program has long incorporated Shonai Yuyu rice and vegetables sourced from local producers in collaboration with the JA Shonai Midori Yusa Cooperative. The pork served during the lunch was sourced from Hirata Farm, a member of Seikatsu Club. Known for its tenderness and thickness, this pork is a prized cut, with only two pieces available from each pig. The students were thrilled with the meal, appreciating both its taste and the concept of regional circular agriculture.

During the lunch, students learned about the bi-directional relationship between livestock and crop cultivation by understanding that the rice used for pig feed comes from the same local soil from which their vegetables grow.

Seikatsu Club is dedicated to continuing such educational initiatives, aiming to secure food self-sufficiency in Japan for future generations.

What is “Yusa Gotsu Day”?

Yusa Gotsu Day is held in Yusa town, focusing on providing local produce and traditional cuisine through school lunches to foster children's love for their community and educate them on food's importance. The event commemorated the 70th anniversary of Yusa's merger, during which Seikatsu Club members also presented online in another learning session scheduled for November 20, 2025.

About Seikatsu Club

Founded in 1965, Seikatsu Club serves approximately 420,000 members across 33 local cooperatives nationwide. When sourcing food, they prioritize domestic production, minimal additives, and reduced pesticide use. Their commitment extends from production to waste management, actively pursuing sustainability. The Club fosters a close-knit community among producers, members, and industries, promoting a sustainable local SDGs network.

To learn more about Seikatsu Club's initiatives or find out how to join, please visit their official website.