#Japan #Nagoya #Kagome #After School #Veggie Challenge

Delicious Vegetable Challenge 2026: A Fun Way to Embrace Veggies

Kagome Co., Ltd. and the After School NPO have launched the fourth edition of the "Delicious Vegetable Challenge 2026," a project aimed at overcoming children's dislike of vegetables through enjoyable educational experiences. This year, the initiative will take place in 80 locations across Japan, including elementary schools and after-school organizations, engaging over 16,000 children since its inception. The goal is to promote a better understanding of vegetables among children and foster healthier eating habits.

Overview of the Challenge

The project targets elementary school students participating during class time and at various after-school clubs, accommodating about 40 children per session. Both online and in-person formats are available, with sessions lasting between 45 to 90 minutes.

Applications are currently open through two phases: the first until March 1, 2026, and the second until May 24, 2026. Interested parties can apply through the official website: Delicious Vegetable Challenge. Please note that details may change as necessary.

About the Delicious Vegetable Challenge

The Delicious Vegetable Challenge was developed to address a common concern among parents and schools: children's aversion to vegetables due to lack of exposure and experience with them. Launched in April 2018, the program has seen participation grow to over 16,000 elementary school students. It has received accolades, including the Kids Design Award in 2019 and the Consumer and Safety Bureau Director's Award at the 6th Food Education Activities Awards hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in 2022. Surveys suggest that many children discuss the program with their parents upon returning home, enhancing the overall impact within families.

Research conducted as part of Kagome's Vegetable Preference Survey indicates that children who enjoy eating vegetables often do so due to positive experiences with them. This initiative aims to instill knowledge and affection for vegetables through engaging programs, therefore improving children's intake of vegetables and addressing issues related to uneaten food in educational settings.

Learning Through Fun Experiences

To cultivate a love for vegetables, children will engage in two interactive sessions, experiencing vegetables through touch, sight, smell, knowledge, and taste:

1. Online/Visiting Program: Vegetable Mystery Experiments
In this session, children will transform into vegetable treasure hunters, solving quizzes and performing experiments, all while fostering a playful relationship with vegetables.

2. Visiting Program: The Ultimate Juice Recipe
Participants will engage with real vegetables through quizzes and create their own juice, nurturing their understanding and appreciation for veggies.

Feedback from Participants in 2024

Children's Feedback

• - "I learned about the characteristics and importance of vegetables through fun quizzes!" (Grade 5)
• - "I knew little about vegetables before, but the challenge taught me so much. I'm grateful!" (Grade 4)
• - "I've started eating cabbage and bell peppers with my meals now!" (Grade 2)

Parents' Feedback

• - "My child is more interested in vegetables now and is trying those they previously disliked!" (Grade 1 Parent)
• - "Since my child started having vegetable juice, they've begun to like vegetables gradually!" (Grade 3 Parent)
• - "My child is so interested that they want to try growing vegetables themselves!" (Grade 4 Parent)

About the After School NPO

Founded in 2009, the After School NPO aims to provide enriching after-school opportunities for children across Japan, ensuring that these periods become golden times for youth. The organization works in collaboration with businesses and local governments to enhance environments for after-school activities and support the cultivation of experiences that foster children's development. Through joint efforts with many supporters, they continue to challenge societal norms around child upbringing and development.