#Japan #Tokyo #Oisix #Bear Damage #Fruit Farms

Oisix's New Initiative for Farmers Impacted by Bear Damage

Oisix, a leading subscription-based food service provider based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, is set to launch a unique initiative starting November 27, 2025. The program aims to support fruit farms affected by bear damage by donating a portion of the sales from seasonal apples and persimmons. This initiative allows customers to participate in supporting local producers while enjoying fresh produce.

The Situation of Apple Farmers

The ongoing challenges facing apple farmers in Aomori Prefecture, particularly those associated with the Tsugaru Direct Sales Association, have reached critical levels. This year has seen a significant increase in bear sightings nationwide, causing a rising number of encounters with humans. In October alone, incidents of bear-related injuries occurred in urban areas near the farms, underscoring the severity of the problem. Numerous traps have been set, resulting in the capture of around 100 bears across the region, further complicating the predicaments facing these producers.

Once bears develop a taste for apples, they mark trees in the vicinity and return repeatedly as if claiming the territory. This behavior poses serious risks to farmer safety, and marked trees are often cut down to prevent further bear activity. So far this season, 30 apple trees have been removed, resulting in a harvest loss of approximately 1.8 tons. As these trees require about six years to regrow and bear fruit again, the implications for local agriculture are dire, leading to continued annual losses of produce. Additionally, the financial burden of countermeasures to protect the orchards has exceeded 5 million yen this year alone.

Urgent Support Needed

Recognizing the hardships faced by these fruit producers, Oisix has historically stepped in to provide various forms of assistance. This autumn has brought to light similar issues affecting persimmon growers, which has prompted the company to conduct an urgent survey to better understand the support needed. The results revealed a critical increase in the costs associated with human and material damage as a result of the bear crisis.

How Customers Can Contribute

From November 27, 2025, customers can purchase apples and persimmons with a donation attached, allowing for a contribution of 50 yen per item to support the affected farms. Furthermore, Radish Boya will offer trial sets containing apples from impacted regions, donating 100 yen from each order to help the farms. The Daichi Wo Mamoru Kai plans to launch apple products with a similar donation initiative on December 8, 2025.

In addition to these purchasing options, Oisix's affiliated food service, Shidax Contract Food Service, will feature special lunch menu items using apples from the damaged farms at their workplace cafeteria, Amiharu Shokudo, running from December 1 to December 5.

Featured Products

• - Oisix Apples (Fuji)

- Price: 756 yen (Tax included)
- Description: These apples are cultivated in a climate conducive to growth, benefiting from significant temperature variations between day and night, resulting in juicy fruit that strikes a perfect balance between tartness and sweetness.

• - Persimmons (Fuyu)

- Price: 519 yen (Tax included)
- Description: Grown in well-drained hilly areas where daytime and nighttime temperatures fluctuate significantly, Fuyu persimmons are known for their plump, round shape and vibrant orange skin, offering a crunchy texture and deliciously sweet flavor.

More on Oisix

Oisix, along with its associated brands such as Radish Boya and Daichi Wo Mamoru Kai, provides safe and carefully sourced agricultural products and meal kits through regular delivery services. They are committed to sustainability and reducing food waste by leveraging subscription models and innovative approaches. This latest initiative serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting local agriculture and investing in the future of food production.

For more information and to support these initiatives, visit Oisix's website.