#Japan #Hachioji #Kagome #ABC Cooking #Vegetable Tour

Discover the Joy of Vegetables: A Family Experience Tour

In a collaborative effort to inspire a love for vegetables, Kagome Co., Ltd., JA National Tour Association, and ABC Cooking Studio recently organized a delightful vegetable experience tour for families. Held on April 25th at the Hachioji Moo Moo Experience Farm in Hachioji City, this unique initiative aimed to immerse participants in the joys of agriculture and cooking.

The initiative is part of Kagome's ongoing vegetable consumption promotion project, which aims to encourage a healthy lifestyle through increased vegetable intake. According to a survey by Kagome, hands-on experiences in growing and harvesting vegetables during childhood play a crucial role in cultivating a lasting fondness for vegetables as adults. With this in mind, the tour combined agricultural experiences with culinary lessons, making it an exciting day for families.

A Day in Nature: Event Overview

On a beautiful spring day, 13 families, comprising 37 participants including both children and adults, gathered to partake in this enriching experience. The event began with a guided vegetable harvest where participants picked a variety of fresh produce, including spinach, komatsuna, and arugula from fields managed by the Hata-kai Association.

This hands-on experience allowed everyone to appreciate the hard work that goes into farming while learning about the different types of vegetables available.

Creating Delicious Pizzas

After harvesting, the fun continued as families turned their fresh vegetables into personalized pizzas. Using Kagome’s richly flavored pizza sauce, participants topped their offerings with freshly picked vegetables along with cheese and bacon. The joy was palpable as families baked their pizzas together, creating meals that were both nutritious and delicious.

Children enthusiastically asked for seconds, proving that the experience successfully engaged their taste buds, with parents delighted to see their little ones appreciating vegetables.

Mini-Lecture on Vegetable Intake

After the cooking session, a mini-lecture emphasized the importance of consuming vegetables. Fun quizzes brought questions like “What is the daily recommended vegetable intake?” into play. Parents and children participated eagerly, with many expressing surprise at new information learned during the session.

This interactive format not only educated families but also sparked conversations at home, igniting a newfound interest in vegetables for many kids.

Veggie Check Experience

Participants also had the opportunity to use the Veggie Check® device, which estimates daily vegetable intake simply by scanning their palms. This technology encouraged families to evaluate their eating habits and think critically about their vegetable consumption.

A Visit to Isunuma Milk Farm

To enrich the experience even further, families visited the nearby Isunuma Milk Farm. Here, they had the chance to see livestock up close and learn about dairy farming, reinforcing the connection between agriculture and food while allowing kids to interact with animals in a serene environment.

A Step Towards Healthier Eating

Through such initiatives, Kagome and its partners are addressing social issues related to the lack of vegetable consumption in Japan. According to national surveys, many individuals fall short of the recommended intake of 350 grams of vegetables per day. This tour aimed to change perceptions and promote a more enjoyable approach to including vegetables in everyday meals.

As families left with bags of fresh vegetables and tomato seedlings from Kagome, they did so with a newfound appreciation for agriculture and the benefits of healthy eating.

The joint effort of these organizations shows a commitment to fostering healthy eating habits, reducing the gap in vegetable consumption, and ensuring future generations grow up valuing the benefits of fresh produce. As we continue to promote the mantra “Let’s eat more vegetables,” experiences like these serve as encouraging steps toward a healthier future for everyone.

This event exemplifies a successful partnership between the community and organizations, highlighting the importance of connecting people with nature and encouraging healthier eating from a young age.