The 13th Food Industry Mottainai Award Winners Announced!

The 13th Food Industry Mottainai Awards: Celebrating Sustainable Initiatives

The recipients of the 13th Food Industry Mottainai Awards have been officially announced. This prestigious award, organized by the Japan Food Industry Rationalization Promotion Organization and sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), recognizes outstanding efforts in sustainability within the food sector.

Overview of the Award

The Mottainai Award aims to honor food-related businesses that have made significant contributions to sustainable practices in the industry. Criteria for recognition include energy conservation, CO2 reduction, waste reduction, recycling, and educational outreach initiatives. The award highlights the importance of implementing environmentally conscious practices in food production and distribution.

The winners of this year’s awards demonstrate innovative approaches to minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency, thereby promoting sustainable development in the food industry.

Award Recipients

1. Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award

Shibazaki Farm (Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture)
Shibazaki Farm has been recognized for its unique approach to integrating local resources into a sustainable farm-to-table restaurant model. By connecting various aspects of education, welfare, and6th industrialization, they exemplify the Mottainai spirit, making the most of local resources.
You can view their interview video here.

2. Minister's Secretary Award

Three organizations received the Minister's Secretary Award this year:

- Choshi Round Table Conference × Chiba Institute of Science

Their project focuses on delivering necessary supplies to those in need while minimizing waste through a community-based roll-stock initiative called “OSUSOWAKE.”
View their interview video here.

- Atsumi Foods Co., Ltd.

They attach great importance to local sustainability by utilizing wasted resources in their “Meguru Series,” which integrates local supermarkets with circular agriculture.
Check out their interview video here.

- Kagoshima Prefectural Ichiki Agricultural High School

They leverage underused local resources to create sustainable insect protein feed.
Watch their interview video here.

3. Chairman's Award

The Chairman's Award recognizes three initiatives:

- Kirin Brewery Company Limited

Focused on their “Hyouketsu® mottainai” series, they work on reducing food loss and supporting fruit farmers.

- Asahimatsu Foods Co., Ltd.

Their innovative production of soy bio-soil from by-products of their product enriches connection between agriculture and welfare.

- Aichi Prefectural Anjo Agricultural and Forestry High School

Their efforts in reducing food waste through the production and sale of mini tomatoes enhance sustainability.

Award Ceremony and Case Presentation

Date and Location

The awards ceremony will be held on October 30, 2023. The event consists of two parts:

- Part 1: Award Ceremony for the MAFF Minister Award

Date: October 30, 2023, from 1:10 PM to 2:10 PM
Location: Otemachi Place Hall & Conference, Chiyoda, Tokyo.
Attendance is welcome without prior registration.

- Part 2: Award Ceremony for the MAFF Secretary Award and Chairman's Award + Case Presentations

Date: October 30, 2023, from 3:30 PM to 5:40 PM
Location: MAFF Headquarters (7F Conference Room 1)
Please register through the provided link before October 26, 2023.

For more information regarding the 9th National Food Loss Reduction Conference on the same day, please refer to the Chiyoda Ward Official Website.

The Food Industry Mottainai Award not only celebrates remarkable achievements but also inspires others in the industry to adopt sustainable practices. This serves as a crucial step toward a more sustainable future for food production and consumption in Japan.