In January 2020, Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc. concluded a "collaboration agreement to support places for children including children's cafeteria" with Saitama Prefecture and the Saitama Prefecture Council of Social Welfare, and provided approximately 4,700 bottles of Coca-Cola products to Saitama Food Pantry Network (a network organization run by a food pantry governing body in the prefecture) on May 21, 2020 in accordance with this agreement. Such products will be distributed for free to those who are in need of food.

What is "food pantry," to which more and more activity organizations are turning?

Food pantry is originally derived from the meaning of a "food storage" and refers to activities that distribute food free of charge to people who have trouble making a living, such as single-parent families and needy people. Social contact with other people decreased due to the closure of schools and the stay-at-home request in response to the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19), and children who do not have enough to eat are increasing. Amid such circumstances, CCBJI has considered whether we can support local communities in providing food, and delivered approximately 4,700 bottles of our products.

Japan faces a food waste issue.

In Japan, approximately 25.5 million tons of food waste is generated annually. Of which, food loss, meaning food waste discarded even in edible conditions, amounts to 6.12 million tons. On a per capita basis, the amount of food which is roughly equivalent to a rice bowl (approx. 132 g) is wasted per day. (*1)

In the food pantry activities, food, donated by companies and such that cannot be distributed on the grounds of damage on package, excess inventory, misprints, etc., is provided for free to people and facilities in need. Initiatives for the two challenges of reducing such food loss and supporting the needy people also contribute to SDGs aiming for the creation of a sustainable society.

Currently, 25 organizations in 17 cities in Saitama Prefecture are participated in the food pantry activities, which are expected to be expanded in the future.

Food pantry supports children in poverty.

The poverty rate of children in Japan is especially low among OECD member countries. One in about seven children is deemed to live in poverty. Children who are raised in needy families are placed at a disadvantage in terms of medical care, food, and learning, and are in difficult circumstances in education and finding a job. Furthermore, these problems have become worse because of the effects of COVID-19. (*2)

Food pantry activities provide food to help such families in need, and can lead to raising their living expenses other than food expense. These activities can be of a help to them in living a more affluent life as well as to many children in learning for their future.

Under our corporate philosophy "Paint it RED! Let's Repaint our Future.", CCBJI will aim to achieve our mission to "deliver happy moments to everyone while creating value.". In addition, we will remain committed to CSV (Creating Shared Value) and provide solutions through our business to the challenges that regions are faced with, and continue to seek for collaboration with all our partners.

[For more information on our food pantry activities, please refer to the following articles.]

◆Expanding donations to Food Bank organizations to support local communities -Donating beverages to Chubu Zen'i Bank in Aichi Prefecture-

◆Supporting dreams of children who bear the future through "Children's Cafeteria Support Vending Machines"!

[Initiatives to prevent the spread of COVID-19]

Together! There are people who are waiting today

(*1) Source: Consumer Affairs Agency, "Know and learn about food loss" (Japanese)

(*2) Source: The Nippon Foundation, "Addressing Child Poverty" (Japanese)