• “Shokuiku Basic Law” came into enforcement in July, 2005, and the Shokuiku Basic Promotion Program has been enacted in March 2006. In this matter, “Shokuiku” has been promoted as a national movement.

- It is necessary to promote the well-balanced ‘Japanese dietary pattern’ featuring rice by utilizing the “Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top,” which described plainly “what to eat” and “how much to eat.”

• These activities are expected to contribute toward improving the food self-sufficiency ratio and handing down traditional dietary culture, as well as toward promoting health.

Example of a Local Version of the “Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top” “Niigata Children’s Food Guide Spinning Top”

Prepared by the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations (March 2007)

Supervised by Niigata City Health Center, Niigata City Board of Education, Niigata Prefecture Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives, Nobuko Murayama (Niigata University of Health and Welfare), and Yukari Takemi (Kagawa Nutrition University)

Well Balanced “Japanese Dietary Pattern”

Source: "Food Balance Sheet," MAFF

• More opportunities to learn about food are needed because of the current situation of limited chances of studying about health or nutrition. In this situation, 60% of municipalities have developed the “Educational Farm” program which provides opportunities for experiencing agriculture, forestry and fisheries. In the future, more efforts should be made to further promote this program.

• The promotion of “Shokuiku” is expected to contribute toward further understanding of the blessings of nature, and of various activities promoted by those involved in food production; and toward promoting mental and physical health, developing generous-hearted people, and learning the skills necessary for living.

## Progress of the “Educational Farm” Program in Municipalities

Question to municipalities that provide no support: Future intention to support the program

Municipalities neither promote nor support the program

Municipalities themselves promote the program

Question to the municipalities that provide support: Programs for which they intend to provide further support in the future (multiple answers allowed)

Source: “Survey of the Actual Conditions of Work-study Programs in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Educational Farm Programs)” published by MAFF in February 2006

Note: The survey was conducted on 2,042 municipalities around Japan (as of February 6, 2006) and responses were received from 2,040 municipalities.

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In April 2005, in collaboration with the local producers, the local government of Suzaka City, Nagano Prefecture opened Toyooka Branch School of Shinshu Suzaka Agricultural Elementary School, so that children could learn both the difficulty and joyful aspects of agriculture, acquire great inner strength and creative ability, and feel gratitude for food.

The local producers, who participate in the program as voluntary agricultural teachers, and the members of the “Staff Committee

of Toyooka Branch School, Shinshu Suzaka Agricultural Elementary School” consisted by the board of education are involved in total management of the educational program, including the development of a detailed curriculum. Twice a month, on Saturdays, the participants get together to perform agricultural tasks such as planting rice and vegetables, pulling up weeds, harvesting, and threshing. In this manner, they can experience a series of agricultural tasks throughout the year. The curriculum also includes a program for making contact with local traditional culture and traditional food. This annual program contributes toward promoting intergeneration ties and cooperation between adults and children in the local community, and encourages participants to feel gratitude for food.

Rice planting program in agricultural elementary schools