“Peace from Food” Special – What Does Food Mean to You? #4

Once a week, as a special feature, we will share messages from supporters of ARI.
In this third installment, we introduce a “Food is …” message from Rika Mezura of Yotsuba Co-op.

“Food is… Life”

To me, food is what builds our minds and bodies. “Chisan-chisho,” or local production for local consumption, is what creates peace of mind. I believe that trust in our food comes not just from safety, but from being able to trace its story back to the source. To nurture healthy minds and bodies, to protect the value of what we eat, and to deliver true peace of mind to our customers, we put importance on local production for local consumption to ensure traceability.

What is Yotsuba Co-op? We promote direct-from-producer sales and local production for local consumption, delivering safe and trustworthy ingredients to your home. Based on our own unique product standards, we prioritize domestic products and exclude imported ingredients, food additives, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as much as possible.

Announcement Yotsuba Co-op will be participating in the Asian Rural Institute’s Harvest Thanksgiving Celebration Day. We invite all who are interested to attend. ARI Harvest Thanksgiving Celebration Day Announcement Page: https://ari.ac.jp/htc-2025/

Peace from Food Donation Campaign
Starting Friday, August 1, 2025!
 Campaign website: https://ari.ac.jp/donate/peace2025/en?ari=news
From August 1, Asian Rural Institute is running the “Peace from Food” Donation Campaign.
Throughout the month of August, we are sharing voices from our community members and supporters on Instagram and Facebook Stories, centered around the theme “What does food mean to you?”
All past stories can also be viewed on our Instagram Highlights.

Men's Dormitory & Guest House

Participants and volunteers live in separate dormitories for men and women. The dormitory includes shared lounges, kitchens, showers, and laundry facilities. Wi-Fi is not available.

Poultry House

The poultry facilities include free-range chicken coops and a brooding house. More than 400 chickens are raised, producing over 80,000 eggs and approximately one ton of chicken meat each year.

Pig Pen

Participants learn a variety of pig farming techniques through hands-on practice. Both deep-litter and concrete-floor systems are used, and manure is recycled into biogas and fertilizer.

Goat House

Goat milk (over 200 liters annually) and meat are used for food, while manure is used as fertilizer. During the day, the goats roam freely in the pasture.

Forest

The forests surrounding the campus are managed through selective thinning for firewood and charcoal production. Leaves and other organic materials are collected for use in agriculture.

Fields

On 2.5 hectares of farmland, approximately 100 varieties of vegetables and crops are grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. The entire community helps manage the fields as part of its commitment to learning and self-sufficiency.

Rice Paddies

Rice is cultivated in paddies both on and off campus. Various organic rice-growing methods are studied and practiced, including weed control and fertilization using ducks.

Workshop

The workshop is a space for repair and recycling activities. It contains machinery, welding equipment, woodworking tools, and a variety of materials.

Feed Mixing Room

Livestock feed is produced here using both manual and mechanical methods. Continuous efforts are made to improve feed quality and sustainability.

Administration Building

The first floor houses the reception area and administrative offices, while the second floor contains staff offices and the Director’s office. The Farm Shop (Agricultural Training Room) is located adjacent to the building.

ARI Shop

The shop offers ARI-grown produce, processed foods, books, and handicrafts from the home countries of ARI graduates.

Farm Shop (Agricultural Training Room)

The facility serves as the hub of agricultural activities at ARI. It includes classrooms, storage for tools and farming materials, and facilities for drying and storing crops.

Oikos Chapel

Originally a 100-year-old traditional farmhouse, the chapel has been renovated into a place of worship. Daily morning gatherings are held here, along with meditation, dialogue sessions, gospel choir practice, and other community activities. Oikos is a Greek word meaning “home.”

Manna House (Food Processing Room)

This facility is used for producing and storing processed foods such as cookies and jam. The ground floor also contains a poultry processing facility.

Fish Ponds

Fish are raised for both food and agricultural purposes.

クリスマス・ウィンターキャンペーン 2025
Christmas and Winter Donation Campaign