#Japan #Coca-Cola #Nara #Food Bank Nara #beverage donation

Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Initiates Donations to Food Bank Nara

Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc., headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, and led by President and CEO Karin Dragan, has officially commenced a beverage donation initiative to the certified NPO Food Bank Nara located in Nara City, a move aimed at supporting local vulnerable populations. The first donation, consisting of 50 cases of Coca-Cola products, took place on December 23, 2025. Moving forward, the company plans to make regular donations throughout the year. These donated products will be distributed through Food Bank Nara to various social welfare channels, including food pantries, community welfare councils, and facilities for child welfare.

Since 2016, Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan has partnered with food banks across the nation in line with its commitment to community development. In the fiscal year 2024 alone, the company donated a remarkable total of 33,058 cases (801,162 bottles) of Coca-Cola products to 26 different organizations. This proactive approach underlines Coca-Cola's intention to play an active role in mitigating food insecurity within the communities they serve.

Nara City faces significant challenges, particularly with a relative poverty rate exceeding 50% among single-parent households, underscoring the urgent need for food assistance for families raising children. In light of these conditions, Nara City will appoint a Food Loss Coordination Officer in April 2024 to encourage companies to donate surplus food. This initiative aims to enhance food procurement strategies and tackle local food insecurity issues. In response, Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan is strategically enhancing its support in areas that have not yet received assistance, leading to its decision to make donations to Nara's food bank.

Utilizing a data-driven approach through its Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process, Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan aims to enhance demand forecasting accuracy, achieving a balance between stable supply and inventory reduction. However, soft drink demand is susceptible to fluctuations due to various factors such as weather conditions, often leading to surplus stock. The beverages donated to Food Bank Nara consist of these excess products, which, aside from having a near-expiring shelf life, maintain quality standards equivalent to regular products.

Starting in 2025, the company plans to extend the S&OP process to its food bank donations, allowing the donation of smaller amounts of leftover stock at various locations. This initiative will leverage the company’s logistics network to create a high-accuracy donation mechanism linked to inventory levels. Through regular donations of surplus stock to food bank organizations, Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan aims to ensure that these resources are effectively used by those in need while contributing to the reduction of food wastage and addressing community challenges.

Notes

1. For detailed statistics on the product donations made to food bank organizations in FY 2024, please refer to the link: Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan News Release

2. For more information on Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan’s contribution to community development, visit: Coca-Cola Community Development

Information contained in this news release reflects the status at the time of the announcement and may differ from the latest updates.