What’s the Food Hub Project
The Food Hub Project is an agricultural corporation established in April 2016 with the motto of "Farm Local, Eat Local" to connect local agriculture and food culture to the next generation. It was jointly launched by the Kamiyama town office, Kamiyama TSUNAGU Corporation, and Monosus in Kamiyama Town, Tokushima Prefecture, which has a population of approximately 4,800 (as of February 2024).
Through a small, local food cycle system encompassing "growing, making, eating, and connecting" for all residents from children to the elderly, we accept new farmers and engage in agriculture. We also operate a restaurant, bakery, and food store using the agricultural products we grow, and we manufacture and sell processed goods made from local ingredients.
We also provide meals for the dormitory of the new "Kamiyama Marugoto College of Design, Engineering and Entrepreneurship" which opened in April 2023. We are not just involved in agriculture and the food service industry, but also work with affiliated companies to solve local issues, such as solving local agricultural problems, passing on food culture, creating jobs, promoting relocation, revitalizing the community, and educating the next generation.
Local food circulation system
Cultivating ~ Practicing social agriculture ~
By protecting the landscape through agriculture and nurturing farmers who will pass on the local agriculture and food culture to the next generation, we are practicing social agriculture that contributes to the local community.
We are also working with local farmers, chefs, and educators to gradually introduce pesticide-free, organic fertilizer cultivation.
Photo：Masataka NAMAZU
Mr. and Mrs. Matsumoto of Oronono started farming as members of the Food Hub agricultural team, and four years later became independent. Even after starting their own farms, they continue to work with Food Hub, planning and adjusting annual planting plans for each farm, conducting joint sales and marketing, discussing future directions, and jointly owning and using agricultural machinery. They have a relationship where they can help each other out when they are in trouble, such as helping with the harvest when there are not enough hands.
Create ~ With everyone's hands ~
In Kamiyama, there is a lifestyle improvement group that published a wonderful book about local cuisine and food culture called "The Tastes of Kamiyama" in 1978, and it continues to this day. Making use of this culture, and working with local people, we are working together to create things that go beyond just cooking, but are related to the local culture, people and food.
Eat ~ Support Kamiyama's agriculture by eating ~
We operate a restaurant and bakery that uses plenty of local agricultural products and connects producers with customers. We mainly use organic vegetables and fruit grown by our own agricultural team and members of the Food Hub who have gone on to become independent farmers, as well as vegetables purchased from Satoyama no Kai (a group of producers in Kamiyama that grow vegetables without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides during the growing period), who have been helping us since the company's founding.
Connecting ~ Learning, teaching, thinking ~
Our food education (connecting) activities aim to spread the awareness of "grow locally, eat locally" in order to pass on local agriculture to the next generation. We grow food together from seeds, cook it and eat it. And pass those seeds on to the next generation. We have worked with local farmers, producers and schools to promote food education centered on "circulation." We are currently expanding our activities as an NPO called Machi no Shokuno Kyoiku.
Food Hub Project
190-1, Jinryokita, Kamiyama-cho, Myozai-gun, Tokushima Prefecture, 771-3311TEL&FAX:+8188−676−1011
