Prevent Hunger While Dieting!

TABLE FOR TWO International

Metabolic syndrome has become a serious issue in Japan. The term is mentioned every day on TV and in newspapers and advertisements. People are suffering from obesity and diseases associated with poor lifestyle habits due to excessive calorie intakes not only in Japan but also in many advanced countries. The number of people affected is approximately 1 billion. On the other hand, the number of people suffering from lack of nourishment and famine is approximately 1 billion, and among them, approximately 350~400 million people are children.

Now an activity aimed at decreasing this imbalance through the donation of 20 yen per meal is drawing attention in Japan. This idea was developed by young Japanese leaders selected by the World Economic Forum (Davos Forum) held every year and was presented to the public. It is called “TABLE FOR TWO,” since people in advanced countries and developing countries share meals beyond time and space.

The system is simple. Firstly, you select a lunch from the TABLE FOR TWO menu at your company cafeteria. Then, 20 yen from the meal charge will be donated and used to fund school meals in developing countries. For example, if you select a lunch worth 520 yen, 20 yen of the price will be donated. This concept was launched in Itochu Corporation in February 2007, and other leading companies such as IBM Japan, Japan Airlines, The City of Yokohama, NEC, are following suit.

Donations from TABLE FOR TWO will be delivered to the children through the World Food Programme and the American non-profit organization Millennium Promise. The TABLE FOR TWO menu contains well balanced food including many vegetables. Meals are not only low in calories and good for peoples’ health, but also feed hungry children around the world.

Do not underestimate the power of 20 yen. The cost of one meal in a developing country is 20 yen including the cooking ingredients and transportation. As a result of the implementation of this system over several months by several leading companies, approximately 41,000 school meals have been donated. This is equivalent to the number of school meals for approximately 200 students for one year.

“The best thing about this activity is that anyone can join easily,” says TABLE FOR TWO Chief of Staff KOGURE Masahisa. “Different from usual donations, this activity is easy to understand and good for one’s health.” On the other hand, companies will enjoy a higher standing among employees by participating in systems like these.

For corporations, employees’ health is very important. By introducing such a healthy menu, employees will be better protected from disease. In the spring of 2008, a new regulation is to be introduced by the government in which companies will be penalized if any of their employees have metabolic syndrome. Since government medical expenses are increasing and putting pressure on State finances due in part to the increase in adult lifestyle-related diseases, it is a wise move to try to prevent diseases from occurring in the first place.

For this system to succeed, cooperation from company cafeteria chefs is essential. Companies can obtain sample menus, but in practice, company chefs will have to do the food preparation. Kogure says that what impressed him were the reactions from chefs. “I received a mail from a chef saying, ‘I’ve been thinking how I could contribute to society and I never knew I could do such a wonderful thing while working as a chef.’ And he offered us 100 different healthy recipes.”

Pola Orbis Holdings, Inc. introduced this system in October 2007 as a part of a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) program. “This is hard, but also challenging,” says cafeteria dietician NAKOSHI Asami (Green House Co., Ltd.). “It is not only necessary to reduce calorie intake, but also to be creative in order to present the food beautifully. When I cooked ‘Non-fry eggplant with minced meat,’ I boiled eggplants instead of frying them. People were surprised to learn that doing so reduced calories by 200.”

“They were pretty large and delicious, but they digested quickly.” “I eat most of my food at lunch, so I’d like to eat healthier food. On the other hand, as I age, I have had a strong wish to contribute to others, so it’s a good idea. I’m happy to be able to help a little,” say various staff. All employees seem satisfied.

“This is a nice scheme, so the decision to introduce it was made quickly in just one time meeting,” says Chief Officer, Regulatory Affairs & CSR, NAKAMURA Naoki. “Since it is only 20 yen per meal, the amount per day is not large. However, it is important that everyone is aware of the social contributions made by corporations.”

“We hope that many people will join this activity, regardless of nationality,” Kogure says. TABLE FOR TWO is considering a method in which ordinary people can easily participate in, in addition to company cafeteria users. Japan has an image that “They offer money, but do not act” and “They only follow other countries’ suggestions.” However, this scheme, that started in Japan, may change the world.

TABLE FOR TWO International
www.tablefor2.org

In cooperation with Pola Orbis Holdings Inc.

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