Strengthening Bonds Between Companies and Communities Through Rice

Connecting through Rice: A Good Cycle of Community and Company

In Niigata, a region renowned for its delicious rice, OM Network, a SaaS company, has embarked on an innovative initiative to strengthen ties between employees, their families, and local farmers...

A New Approach to Employee Welfare

Starting from May 2025, OM Network will provide 2 kg of Niigata-grown "Shinnosuke" rice monthly to all employees. From October, this initiative will expand to include 3 kg of "Koshihikari" rice sourced from employees' families' farms. This collaboration not only supports the health and well-being of the employees but also reinforces the connection between family and workplace.

The Three-Way Cycle of Connection

1. Rice Grown by Employee Families: The rice provided is cultivated with love and care by employees' families, ensuring that local traditions and agricultural heritage are maintained.
2. The Company as a Bridge: OM Network acts as a facilitator, delivering the rice directly to employees in a relationship-based manner rather than just a transactional one, creating personal connections.
3. Supporting Family Tables: This initiative ensures that the rice not only feeds families but also brings a sense of pride and security to employees, knowing that their family and workplace are interconnected.

Enhancing Lives Through Rice

With the introduction of this program, OM Network aims to update both lifestyle and working conditions. The comforting knowledge that one’s rice bin is full alleviates stress, encourages cooking at home, and ultimately enhances work performance. Moreover, when the company partially subsidizes staple food costs, employees can manage their household budgets with confidence, fostering a supportive environment for taking on new challenges.

Personal Stories from Employees

An engineer at OM Network shared how this initiative has fostered wonderful conversations with family:

"The fact that the company provides rice has been met with great joy at home. It has naturally increased discussions about work, making me feel that the company and family are intertwined. Because of this support, I find I have the time to focus on learning and certifications, profoundly enhancing my life and career."

Another engineer expressed pride in sharing rice from the family farm with colleagues:

"Knowing that rice from my family's farm reaches my colleagues makes me feel proud. It's more than just delivering rice—it's a tangible connection between my family's hard work and how it enhances others' lives. It challenges me to think deeper about the purpose of work and support."

A Message from the CEO

OM Network's CEO stated,

"Receiving rice after work has become a small yet significant habit supporting tomorrow's challenges. This initiative is not just about employee benefits; it’s a system of collaboration between the employees' families and the local community. We want to accompany working individuals every day with warmth that represents Niigata."

Future Goals

- Producer Updates: Include messages from rice producers and cooking suggestions in rice deliveries.
- Experience Days: Organize rice planting and harvesting days encouraging family participation in the company’s future.
- Social Lunch Meetings: Implement cross-departmental lunch meetings with rice and miso soup to promote communication.

Despite ongoing climate challenges, there is gratitude for the bounty of rice cultivation in Niigata. The company is committed to cherishing the assurance of staple foods in people’s lives, believing it can help enhance health and social connections.

Since its inception, OM Network has sought to build an ecosystem of safety surrounding staple foods. As rice fosters health, facilitates family conversations, and supports future challenges, this initiative brings about a gentle cycle connecting the company, employees, and the community. Not everything needs to be monumental; sometimes, the richness of life begins with one delicious bowl of rice, and that is where our journey begins.

Company Overview

- Name: OM Network, Inc.
- Location: Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture
- CEO: Shinya Yamagishi
- Business: Development of business systems, Shift management system "R-Shift"
- Website: OM Network