Launching 'Ooba Menchi Katsu' Using Off-Grade Shiso Leaves from Toyokawa City Through Farm-Welfare Collaboration

Himawari Agricultural Cooperative (Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture) is collaborating with the farm-welfare initiative 'Nohuku Port,' operated by Nokyo Kanko Co., Ltd., to support post-harvest processing of shiso leaves, a specialty product of Toyokawa City.

A new product, 'Ooba Menchi Katsu,' has now been developed using off-grade shiso leaves generated through this collaboration. It has been available since July 1, 2026, at 13 A-coop stores in the Tokai region.

This product was created not only to reduce food waste and promote effective use of local agricultural products but also to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities and enhance their sense of purpose through meaningful work.

Newly launched 'Ooba Menchi Katsu'

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Addressing the Challenge of 'Shortage of Home Workers' in Shiso-Producing Areas

Toyokawa City is one of Japan’s leading producers of shiso leaves. However, the aging and declining number of home-based workers responsible for packaging and packing before shipment has been a growing challenge.

When processing is delayed, harvested shiso leaves cannot be shipped, affecting farmers’ cultivation management and business operations. Additionally, some members of the shiso growers’ association are forced to travel long distances to deliver work to home workers outside the city or prefecture, creating a significant burden.

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Securing Labor Through Collaboration with Nohuku Port

To address these challenges, the JA Himawari Tsumamono Division (Shiso) has partnered since September 2022 with 'Nohuku Port,' a farm-welfare collaboration project operated by Nokyo Kanko Co., Ltd.

Within Toyokawa City, the project operates at three sites using idle facilities owned by JA Himawari, with eight organizations that employ people with disabilities participating.

Currently, 10 out of 19 members of the shiso growers’ association use Nohuku Port, with a total of 91 people—including support staff—working across the three sites. In the 2025 fiscal year, they are expected to process approximately 190,000 packs of shiso, helping reduce farmers’ labor burden and establish a stable shipping system.

The collaboration has also shortened travel time for farmers delivering work, and is becoming an established system supporting the local production area.

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Choosing Not to 'Discard' Off-Grade Shiso Leaves

During the sorting process, shiso leaves that do not meet standards for shape or size are classified as off-grade.

Motivated by the desire to utilize these previously underused off-grade shiso leaves as a local resource, one of the companies participating in Nohuku Port developed 'Ooba Menchi Katsu.'

By commercializing these leaves, new value has been created for what was once difficult to use, contributing to reduced food waste and increased income for producers.

Image of off-grade shiso leaves

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A Sense of Purpose Through 'Our Product'

For people with disabilities involved in shiso processing at Nohuku Port, 'Ooba Menchi Katsu' is a product they can see on store shelves that they helped create.

Seeing how agricultural products move through the supply chain and reach consumers provides them with a sense of accomplishment and connection to society.

Ooba Menchi Katsu on store shelves on July 1

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Comment from a Representative

Sato Hikaru, Section Chief of the Fresh Produce Department at JA Himawari, said:

"In shiso-producing areas, the aging and decline of home workers has been a major challenge. Our collaboration with Nohuku Port has helped secure labor and reduce the burden on producers.

Additionally, product development using off-grade shiso leaves contributes to food waste reduction and increased producer income. Seeing products they helped create on store shelves gives people with disabilities a sense of purpose and connection to society.

Challenges that cannot be solved by agriculture alone or welfare alone exist. We hope to continue expanding this mutual support system that leverages the strengths of both sectors for the benefit of the entire community."

Left: Mr. Akashi, Director of Nohuku Port Toyokawa Office; Right: Mr. Sato Hikaru, Section Chief, Tsumamono Division, Fresh Produce Department, JA Himawari

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Product Overview

Product Name: Ooba Menchi Katsu

Launch Date: July 1, 2026

Sales Locations: 13 A-coop stores in the Tokai region

Price: 258 yen (tax included)

*May vary by store.

Features: A prepared food item made using off-grade shiso leaves from Toyokawa City.

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Future Outlook

JA Himawari is addressing regional challenges such as labor shortages in agriculture and food waste through farm-welfare collaboration.

Moving forward, we will deepen collaboration with related organizations and businesses to build a sustainable system where agriculture and welfare support each other and the entire community thrives together.

〈Media Inquiries〉

Himawari Agricultural Cooperative (JA Himawari)

1-1-1 Suwa, Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture

TEL: 0533-85-3171　MAIL: [email protected]

Planning Department, General Planning Division, Public Relations Officer: Kato Yuichi