Oisix and Kirin Join Forces to Reduce Food Waste through New Project

Oisix, a leading food subscription service based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, has announced a collaboration with Kirin Brewery to tackle food waste via a new initiative called the 'Mottainai! to Oishii! Project.' This unique partnership aims to utilize irregularly sized fruits that are often discarded, thereby supporting Japan’s fruit farmers and significantly reducing food waste.

The project, spearheaded by Kirin, first kicked off with the 'Kirin Hyoketsu® Mottainai Project' in May 2024. This initiative labels perfectly good yet imperfect fruits as 'Mottainai Fruits' and features them in the Kirin Hyoketsu® Mottainai series. By combining each company's strengths, the project is set to enhance the value of these irregular fruits, creating a win-win situation for consumers and producers alike.

Project Objectives by 2027

As part of this collaboration, Oisix aims to achieve several ambitious goals by 2027:

- Reduce 250 tons of 'Mottainai Fruits' annually.
- Engage 100 producers in the project.
- Encourage participation from 12 million consumers through purchases and events.

Background of the Collaboration

Oisix has continually faced the food waste crisis as part of its mission to address social issues related to food. The company interacts with approximately 4,000 farmers across Japan and recognizes the increasing severity of challenges faced in agricultural production. Issues such as severe weather conditions leading to irregular products, rising costs of labor, materials, and fuel, and the aging farming population have made operations increasingly tough.

In addressing these challenges, Oisix works to offer consumer-friendly solutions while alleviating pressures on producers. By expanding beyond its supply chain, Oisix aims to tackle food waste collectively within the industry. For instance, they successfully reduced waste by about 500 tons in the 2024 fiscal year and have increased the number of irregular products they offer to 441 kinds by March 2025.

Oisix decided to join the 'Mottainai! to Oishii! Project' to generate a broader movement that includes the entire industry in solving food waste problems. Through this initiative, Oisix intends to develop exciting and delightful products that engage customers and support sustainable food practices.

Oisix's Innovative Projects to Tackle Food Waste

Preventing the Generation of Irregular Products

Oisix actively rescues fruits and vegetables that are deemed 'irregular' due to minor aesthetic issues, believing that taste is what truly matters. By offering a broad definition of 'standard products,' Oisix markets many items that might otherwise go to waste, positively impacting local farmers.

Increasing the Value of Irregular Products

Oisix also runs the 'Otasuke Oisix' service, which aims to deliver discount irregular items that result from unexpected weather. This not only helps reduce food waste but also supports local farmers' incomes by providing a valuable outlet for produce that might not make it to conventional markets.

Upcycling Projects

In line with its commitment to combat food waste, Oisix has launched 'Upcycle by Oisix,' a project designed to add value to produce that would typically be discarded. Since its inception in July 2021, this initiative has developed 128 unique products and garnered positive relationships with food producers, showcasing a collaborative effort to reduce waste across various sectors of the food industry.

Addressing Consumer Needs

Catering to the evolving needs of families, Oisix also introduced miniature versions of heavier vegetables like cabbage and daikon. This decision directly meets consumer feedback about using perishable items more efficiently while easing the burden on older farmers harvesting heavier crops.

About Oisix

Founded in 2000, Oisix is dedicated to providing safe and organic food products through their delivery service. With over 352,423 members by December 2024, Oisix has grown steadily, offering meal kits that make home cooking accessible and enjoyable.

As a company committed to sustainable retail, Oisix continues to innovate, aiming for zero food waste from farm to table while making healthy, delicious products readily available for everyone.