Sekisui House Co., Ltd. collaborated as a food provider in a demonstration experiment for DX support for children's cafeterias. We will help solve social issues such as supporting children's cafeterias and reducing food loss.
Details are below.
We will conduct a demonstration experiment for DX support for children's cafeterias
Kuradashi Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Tatsuya Sekito, hereinafter “Kuradashi”), which operates the social contribution shopping site “KURADASHI”, and Keio University SFC Research Institute (Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture) City, Director: Yoshinori Iimori) jointly conducted a demonstration experiment from February 14th to match data on food stockpiled by companies for use in the event of a disaster with children's cafeterias in Osaka Prefecture. We are here.
This demonstration experiment is a smart food chain platform (hereafter referred to as "SFP") * 2, in order to solicit "examination of new solutions" aimed at the entry of new organizations from outside, not limited to consortium members, Kuradasi proposes "Stable ingredients for children's cafeterias" Creation and demonstration of a mechanism for provision” was adopted and realized.
In addition, Sekisui House Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, President and CEO: Yoshihiro Nakai, hereinafter referred to as "Sekisui House"), Sumitomo Mitsui Bank (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Makoto Takashima, hereinafter "Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation"), Tokyo Nihon Kotsu Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Fukushima-ku, Osaka, Representative Director: Kaneda Takashi, hereinafter referred to as "Tokyo/Nippon Kotsu").
[Background of ``Creating and demonstrating a mechanism for stable food supply to children's cafeterias'']
According to a survey*4 by the NPO National Children's Cafeteria Support Center, Musubie, as of December 2021, there are more than 6,000 children's cafeterias nationwide. We are in charge of providing a place for intergenerational exchange. As for community development activities carried out by children's cafeterias, "initiatives to promote multi-generational exchange" were followed by "initiatives to reduce food loss" at 44.7%. On the other hand, past questionnaire surveys*5 show that children's cafeterias feel that "lack of ingredients" is an issue and are seeking support such as ingredients and funds.
Kuradashi operates the social contribution shopping site "KURADASHI" with the mission of "continuing to be a social good company" with the aim of reducing food loss.
In addition, we have been engaged in activities such as allocating part of the sales to the "Kuradashi Fund" to support projects for about 140 food banks nationwide.
Newly, we wanted to support children's cafeterias, which have many problems even in the corona crisis, but we have a system to stably provide ingredients to more than 6,000 children's cafeterias nationwide. It was difficult to create, and there was not enough support.
In addition, Kuradashi is currently receiving many inquiries from companies that want to provide surplus food to children's cafeterias. We are now receiving voices saying that we don't know what to do, and that we want to select and match.
From this background, by utilizing data linkage with SFP, we solved the problem related to matching, and by collaborating with companies that want to provide surplus food, smooth, rapid and stable delivery to children's cafeterias We will conduct a demonstration experiment with the aim of realizing the provision of delicious food.
[Details of the demonstration experiment]
By registering the food information of disaster stockpiles held by Sekisui House and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation in SFP and linking the data, we will be able to share food with five children's cafeterias in Osaka Prefecture. perform matching. The matched food will be delivered to children's cafeterias from Sekisui House or Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation storage locations around Osaka Prefecture using taxis and trucks of Tokyo/Nippon Kotsu.
SFP is scheduled to start its official service after April 2023, and since the service started, there will be a surplus of food receipt and shipment information from food manufacturers and distributors, etc., and it will be possible to provide it. In the event that a new food product occurs, we will be able to immediately link from the database of receipts, shipments, and inventories, and we will promote efforts to enable smooth and prompt linkage and provision of food information.
Schematic diagram of this initiative
[Target organization]
(1) Sumiyoshi Neighborhood Insurance Business Promotion Association
(2) Yodogawa Ward Children's Place Liaison Committee (Yodogawa Ward Council of Social Welfare)
(3) Children's Room "Shima☆Room"
(4) Nagahori Children's Restaurant
(5) ChunChunTORICA Utsubo Kodomo Shokudo
[Scheduled implementation period]
February 14-March 10, 2022
About demonstration experiments conducted in collaboration with Sekisui House and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
In October 2021, Sekisui House and Kuradasi will implement a social contribution internship "Kuradashi Challenge" with Kyotanba Town, Kyoto Prefecture, for the purpose of solving the local food loss problem and promoting specialty products. We are collaborating in "regional revitalization" and "education". In addition, Sekisui House has been considering the effective use of disaster stockpiles, which are nearing the time to replace them. This time, we decided to support the children's cafeteria, which is operated with one of the purposes of regional revitalization and food education.
In addition, Kuradasi and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation are sharing disaster stockpiles and operating a website dedicated to our employees with the aim of reducing food loss and realizing SDGs. In order to further strengthen our efforts so far, we have decided to carry out this demonstration experiment together.
About food delivery using taxis
Tokyo-Nippon Kotsu was established in 2014 as the first Kansai base of the Nippon Kotsu Group, and since then it has expanded to Osaka, Kobe, and Takatsuki as a public transportation that can be used door-to-door 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We have supported social infrastructure. From 2020, in light of the increased need for transportation of food and beverages due to the spread of new coronavirus infection, we have received permission based on the Road Transportation Act and are also carrying out food delivery. This time, in response to the fact that this demonstration experiment will be conducted in Osaka, we decided to participate as a bearer of the last mile of food provision with the aim of contributing to solving social issues in the region.
[Company comments on cooperation in demonstration experiments]
Sekisui House positions social contribution activities in the S (social) field of ESG management, and actively develops activities centered on "developing the next generation" and "environmental consideration." We have been working with all stakeholders to coexist with the local community, such as our own in-house donation system, housing education in cooperation with educational institutions, and comprehensive cooperation agreements with Osaka Prefecture. This time, we believe that it is very meaningful to be able to participate in a revolutionary initiative that will lead to solving social issues such as supporting children's cafeterias and reducing food loss through the use of DX with our disaster stockpiles, which we were considering using effectively. I'm here. We will continue these activities and contribute to the realization of a society in harmony with the environment where children can live happily, based on our global vision of “making home the happiest place in the world.” I will come.
As a company responsible for the social infrastructure of financial intermediary functions, we will develop businesses to realize the SDGs, such as consideration of ESG in the loan decision process and contribution to fund demand that contributes to solving environmental and social issues. In addition, as a member of the global society, we are promoting various environmentally friendly initiatives in fields other than the financial business. Regarding the reduction of food loss, we have been promoting food sharing in collaboration with Kuradasi Co., Ltd., and we would like to further strengthen our efforts as a SMBC Group, including participating in this demonstration experiment. increase.
Because we are in the taxi business, we think that we are not aware of the possibilities of taxis, so we have always been working on new initiatives. We recognize that the "Children's Cafeteria" is now developing as an effective means of connecting not only with children but also with adults and as an effective means of regional cooperation. We will do our best to provide the value of taxis.
*1 What is the Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP) "Smart Bio Industry/Agricultural Fundamental Technology"?
This is a national project established by the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation in the Cabinet Office to achieve science and technology innovation through management that transcends the boundaries of ministries and conventional fields, with the Cabinet Office's Council for Science, Technology and Innovation demonstrating its control tower function.
12 themes are researched and developed from basic research to practical application and commercialization. It is positioned as one of the development projects.
*2 What is Smart Food Chain Platform (SFP)?
The smart food system is centered on agricultural products, and in addition to the supply side perspective of production, processing, and distribution, the perspective of the consumption side, resource circulation, research and development, etc. are the "arteries" and "veins" in the food supply chain. This is an associative model that circulates the Data, information and development technology provided through the system are provided to the final users, namely agricultural producers, farmers, processing and food manufacturers, distributors and retailers, importers and exporters, material manufacturers, etc. It is assumed that this will be done by providers (participating companies and organizations) that provide data linkage that optimizes food production, distribution, and consumption by developing appropriate products and services on the platform. increase.
*3 What is Kodomo Shokudo?
A community that provides free or low-cost meals to children in need, their parents, and local residents. The purpose is not only to provide meals, but also to create a community for local people and provide a place for food education.
*4 Quote: NPO National Children's Cafeteria Support Center, Musubie "Children's cafeterias" that have become "cafeterias for everyone in the region" continue to increase even in the corona crisis, exceeding 6,000 places. "
https://musubie.org/news/4524/
*5 Quote: NPO National Children's Cafeteria Support Center, Musubie, Children's Cafeteria Network "Current Status of Children's Cafeterias & Problems Questionnaire Results"
https://musubie.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/musubie_Q_sheet_0423.pdf