Blizzardboy | A Kiwi in Australia

Yesterday we went up to Ueno Park to help serve food for homeless people. Served just over 600 meals as part of a group of Cisco volunteers helping out with the Second Harvest project. It was my second time to volunteer – my first late last year when I helped wash up the pots and pans. Took me back to my days as a dish pig at espresso 124. Good memories, again in the rain!

Second Harvest:

What is Second Harvest Japan?

More than 650,000 people in Japan lack “food security”, the access to safe, nutritious food through socially acceptable channels.

At the same time, more than 6,000 metric tons of food is thrown away in Tokyo every day. If we can prevent this wastage and distribute a very small portion of this 6,000,000 kg, hundred-thousands of people may have secure access to food.

Second Harvest Japan does not pay for “new food” because there is already an ample amount wasted for us to draw from. Second Harvest Japan (2HJ) collects food that would otherwise go to waste from food manufacturers, farmers, and individuals, and distributes them to people in need such as children in orphanages, battered women and their children in shelters, and the homeless in Japan. 2HJ is the nation’s first food bank.

Working with the business community

Second Harvest Japan is a registered Not-For-Profit company in Japan (“tokutei hieiri katsudo houjin”). However, we are an alternative way for food companies to offload excess stock as well.

Food banking is an alternative to dumping food products that are still safe for human consumption. Stores, food manufacturers and importers all face conflicts of having food that must be disposed of because it cannot be sold. Food banking helps these companies save money along with making a positive impact to the community.

In Japan, the cost to dispose food is 100 Yen per kilogram. Second Harvest Japan will pick up nutritious food for free, saving time and labor.

Second Harvest Japan also ensures that all food will be handled in a safe and professional manner which includes safe storage, transport, proper cooking and consumption methods, and assurance that the food will never end up back in the marketplace.

Second Harvest is a very professional organization who make a difference on the ground here in Japan. If you want to help out you can contact them via the Second Harvest website.