"Enriching Lives with Food and Greenery": Higashimatsuyama Fore Celebrates 3rd Anniversary, Launches Chapter 2 "Growing Project"

Shimano Landscaping Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Higashimatsuyama City, Saitama Prefecture; President: Hideo Shimano) announces that its "Green and Health Station Higashimatsuyama Fore®" (Representative: Ryoko Shimano) will celebrate its 3rd anniversary on July 15, 2026.

Since its opening, Higashimatsuyama Fore has been committed to the philosophy of "nourishing the heart with greenery and the body with food." Leveraging the expertise of registered dietitians, the company has managed all aspects in-house—from product planning and manufacturing to sales, design, and public relations—building a strong regional brand. Products such as Higashimatsuyama Pickles and forelato (gelato) have received awards and high acclaim at various evaluation contests, solidifying their status as local brand icons.

On the occasion of its 3rd anniversary, Higashimatsuyama Fore launches the "Growing Project," themed "Enriching Lives with Food and Greenery." The project marks the beginning of Chapter 2, introducing four new initiatives: the formal launch of its Green Education Business as a core pillar, the debut of the first product in its Green Education series "Re:fore," the "Fore Lab," a food menu renewal, and the "Moving Fore" outreach program. Together, these efforts aim to promote regional charm through food and greenery, creating new value for the community.

The brand vision of Higashimatsuyama Fore, embodying the 3rd-anniversary theme "Enriching Lives with Food and Greenery."

Introducing Re:fore, the first product in the Green Education series, utilizing local agricultural produce and green-based goods. A new lifestyle that integrates food and greenery into everyday living.

◆ Beyond "Harmony": Launching the Growing Project

In 2025, on its 2nd anniversary, Higashimatsuyama Fore launched the "Harmony Project," renovating its store and introducing new services such as counter-served gelato and fast-food offerings. Centered on the theme "harmonizing mind and body through local production and consumption," the project promoted a richer lifestyle through food.

Now, on its 3rd anniversary, Higashimatsuyama Fore moves beyond "harmony" toward growth.

In 2026, the "Growing Project" is launched under the theme "Enriching Lives with Food and Greenery."

The Growing Project will focus on four key initiatives:

● Green Education Business (a new core business pillar)

● Food Menu Renewal (transitioning to a local produce-focused food stand)

● Fore Lab (transforming regional challenges into valuable products)

● Moving Fore (expanding the brand beyond the store)

Through food and greenery, Higashimatsuyama Fore aims to nurture people, communities, and shared values, striving to create new forms of value.

◆ Higashimatsuyama Fore Brand Growth Tree: From a Small Sprout to a Future Forest

A visual representation of the brand’s evolution—rooted in Higashimatsuyama Fore’s philosophy, growing steadily toward the 2030 vision of the "Forest of Fore."

◆ Chapter 2 of Higashimatsuyama Fore: Built on Three Pillars

Higashimatsuyama Fore is building its brand around three core business pillars:

・ Food Manufacturing and Sales

・ Health Support Services

・ Green Education Business

Until now, the focus has been primarily on food manufacturing and sales, promoting the value of Saitama-grown agricultural products and realizing the concept of "harmonizing mind and body through local production and consumption."

With its 3rd anniversary, the company formally launches its Green Education initiative as a full-fledged business. Drawing on 57 years of landscaping expertise, Higashimatsuyama Fore enters Chapter 2, creating new regional value through the dual lenses of "food" and "greenery."

◆ Advancing Local Production for Holistic Well-being

Higashimatsuyama Fore has long championed the concept of "harmonizing mind and body through local production and consumption," developing products using agricultural produce from Saitama Prefecture. From Higashimatsuyama Pickles and forelato (gelato) to Fore Bento, the company manages the entire process in-house—from planning and development to manufacturing and sales—highlighting the appeal of local resources.

Its flagship products have received high third-party recognition, including awards and certifications at various evaluation events.

<Notable Awards and Certifications>

【Higashimatsuyama Fore Pickles】

● Higashimatsuyama Pride Certification: Rookie Award 2023, Bronze Award 2025 (Higashimatsuyama City)

● Saitama New Product AWARD 2023: Honorable Mention (Saitama Prefectural Products and Tourism Association)

● Made in SAITAMA Excellent Processed Food Grand Prize 2024: Excellence Award (Saitama Prefecture)

【forelato】

● Saitama New Product AWARD 2025: Honorable Mention (Saitama Prefectural Products and Tourism Association)

● Made in SAITAMA Excellent Processed Food Grand Prize 2026: Grand Prize (Saitama Prefecture)

【Fore Health Bento】

● Smart Meal Certification System (Ready-to-Eat Category) 2024: First in Saitama Prefecture, Highest Three-Star Rating (Consortium for Healthy Meals and Dining Environments)

forelato (gelato) won the Grand Prize at the Made in SAITAMA Excellent Processed Food Grand Prize 2026, further validating Higashimatsuyama Fore’s product development excellence.

<Related Press Release>

Rewarding Gelato "forelato (Forelato)" Wins Grand Prize at Saitama Prefecture Evaluation. A historic first in the prefecture, with two different manufactured products winning awards within 2.5 years of opening.

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000011.000167505.html

◆ Maximizing the Value of Local Agricultural Produce: Fore’s Unique Product Development Model

At Higashimatsuyama Fore, a diverse range of local agricultural products are not limited to a single product but are developed into multiple offerings such as bento boxes, pickles, and gelato.

Furthermore, by combining products across different temperature zones—ambient, refrigerated, and frozen—the company has built a unique product development model that maximizes the use and value of local agricultural produce.

For example, seasonal local produce is used in bento meals and fast food, while surplus or irregular produce is pickled for long-term preservation and added value. Additionally, trimmings and non-standard produce from pickle production are repurposed as ingredients for forelato (gelato).

This circular model generates multiple products from a single agricultural source, enhancing value while reducing food waste, and connecting producers, businesses, and consumers in a sustainable cycle.

◆ Carrying Green Value into the Future: Launch of the Green Education Business

● Green Education Business Concept: "Carrying Forward the Value of Greenery Cultivated by a Landscaping Company" ~ Delivering a Rich Lifestyle with Greenery through Products and Experiences ~

"Green Education (Ryokui-ku)" promoted by Higashimatsuyama Fore is an initiative to nurture care for people, communities, and resources through interaction with greenery and nature.

A healthy and fulfilling life requires more than just food.

The presence of greenery in daily life, along with connections to people and communities, brings emotional richness.

Under the philosophy of "nourishing the heart with greenery and the body with food," Higashimatsuyama Fore carries forward the green value cultivated over 57 years by Shimano Landscaping into the future.

This initiative is materialized as the "Green Education Business," a new pillar of its health-focused operations.

Beyond product development, the Green Education Business aims to create opportunities for experiences and learning, building systems where people, communities, and shared values grow together.

As its first step, the "Green Education Product Series" is launched.

"Re:fore" is the first product in this series, delivering the green value nurtured through landscaping into everyday life.

◆ Threads Connecting Life and Greenery: First Release of the Green Education Series "Re:fore"

The Green Education product series brought to you by Higashimatsuyama Fore