Our 5 goals
Goal 1: Eliminate waste – Mottainai
The word mottainai originally meant “grateful” or “compassionate heart.”
We are grateful for nature’s blessings and all that surrounds us. This buoys our hearts, and we believe in the saying, “Every day is a good day.”
We also embrace the modern sense of mottainai – “waste not.” In terms of food waste, we are reminded of the large sacrifices we make due to regulations and the modern lack of morals.
For that reason, we ship products with best-by-dates of at least one month.
Note: If you have a preferred period for the best-by-date, please notify us when ordering gifts online. We will do our best to fill your request.
Goal 2: Value our limited resources
The world is currently facing problems with plastic waste. A preference for appearance and efficiency are causing serious environmental pollution. This is an entirely manmade disaster.
At our farm, we are careful not to waste resources and to reuse our limited resources wherever possible. Of course, there is a limit as to how far we can eliminate plastic waste, but we support all initiatives to reduce plastic and make every effort possible.
It is no exaggeration to say that the world today is borrowing from the future. We strive to realize a sustainable society that does not burden the environment and is kind to the earth.
Goal 3: Collaborate with welfare services
We value the stories behind our products. We believe there is a truth that cannot be measured by superficial appearances. Therefore, we endeavor to convey the passion of our staff members involved in the production process.
The reality is that people in the welfare industry suffer from low wages. We believe that it is important for everyone to join forces in the future, so we have adopted a system which, depending on the product, allows people from the welfare industry to participate in part or all of our production process.
We support products made through the Nofuku initiative, which links the agriculture and welfare industries, and allows disabled people to work in farming, so that the whole world can be connected, and not just a select few.
Goal 4: Value in the production process
“Put time and effort into handling ingredients with care, without concern for profit and loss.”
This is how much we value the products we create.
We grow our produce the natural way, amplifying their inherent life force, without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Our natural farming methods are based on the Law of Subtraction. That is, we leave the plants to grow by subtracting: not interfering where it is unnecessary.
We carry this principle over into our production process. This inevitably means we use no food additives. We carefully select the ingredients and make every effort to combine them in the simplest way.
We differentiate our products from those that emphasize sweetness or appearance. Every year, we aim to offer seasonal products that highlight the intrinsic qualities of each ingredient.
Goal 5: Deliver joy
We wish for a time in which the world will be filled with peace.
Now and in the ever-changing times to come, we hope everyone will value fairness, dignity, and tolerance.
We believe it is imperative that we care for children who are vulnerable in our society, because they are the link to building a vibrant future.
Therefore, we donate some of our products. A small donation may not make a big difference, but we want to do what we can. That’s what we believe.
We will continue our efforts to touch the hearts of the children who will lead the future.
Product donations to the Tenri Yotokuin Children’s Home
We had previously donated flowers, so this time we donated our non-alcoholic amanatsu citrus ginger cordial. The cold months are upon us, and we made this small donation of drinks, because we want to see lots of smiles on children’s faces at the end of the year. The staff at the children’s home, which knew about us, gratefully accepted them.
Tenri Yotokuin is a foster home as defined in Article 41 of the Child Welfare Act. The home cares for children (aged 2 through 18), whose parents or guardians have difficulties raising them for whatever reason. It engenders a sense of independence in the children in a safe and trustworthy environment. They also provide support to the children after leaving the home. (From the Yotokuin website)
Donations to kodomo-shokudo in Nara Prefecture
Through the Nara Kodomo-Shokudo Network, we donated amanatsu citrus vinegar and amanatsu citrus cordial to (approximately 50) kodomo-shokudo in Nara Prefecture. This allowed us to put into practice our belief that mutual support is needed in local communities. The warm smiles of the volunteers left a lasting impression on us that day.
What is a kodomo-shokudo?
Meaning “children’s cafeteria,” a kodomo-shokudo is a place provided by local adults for children to hang out. People in the community can gather at these facilities around a warm meal and nurture the local children. The cafeterias create atmospheres where smiles are contagious – child to child, child to adult, and adult to adult – and help build a close-knit community where everyone cares for one another, transcending age and role.
The cafeterias’ activities and names are diverse, but they all value focusing on children through creative initiatives. Kodomo-shokudo are places where children can be cared for, receive a warm meal, and feel safe.
(From the Nara Kodomo-Shokudo Network pamphlet)