Kewpie Develops Educational Material "Food Loss Zero Challenge Great Operation!" for Elementary School Students to Foster a Sense of Personal Responsibility and Link Learning to Action

Kewpie Corporation (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Mitsuru Takamiya; hereinafter Kewpie) has jointly produced an educational material for elementary school students, "Food Loss Zero Challenge Great Operation!" with ARROWS Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Haruki Asaya). This material aims to help students learn about the current state of food loss and initiatives for its reduction, and to connect this learning to practical actions. It will be offered free of charge to elementary schools nationwide that wish to use it, through "SENSEI Yononaka Gaku," a platform for teachers operated by ARROWS Inc., starting from Thursday, June 11, 2026. In the first year (FY2026), approximately 5,000 children nationwide are scheduled to receive the material through social studies classes and other subjects.

Kewpie's "Food Education Activity Policy" on its Food Education Site

https://www.kewpie.com/education/overview/

Initiating Material Provision for Use in Elementary Schools Nationwide to Support Educational Sites

Kewpie Group's food education activities began in 1961, sparked by elementary school social studies field trips to its factories. Since then, the company has continued to support educational sites by providing food-themed DVDs free of charge to elementary and junior high schools, and by launching the "Mayonnaise Class" in 2002, where Kewpie Group employees visit elementary schools to help children make mayonnaise by hand. In response to the increasing number of elementary schools incorporating "SDGs" into their curriculum due to revisions in the Course of Study, the "SDGs Class," which teaches the importance of food and the environment, was launched in 2022. The "SDGs Class" has been held in 198 schools to date, with 13,979 elementary school students participating (cumulative total from June 2022 to March 2026)*1.

Educational sites have raised concerns such as "While there are many opportunities to encounter the topic of food loss through school lunches, there is a significant gap between knowledge and practice" (according to ARROWS Inc. research). It was found that there is a widespread demand for educational materials that enable children to perceive food loss issues as a "personal matter." Therefore, to facilitate learning in elementary schools across the country, we are beginning to provide educational materials through the teacher platform "SENSEI Yononaka Gaku." Teachers who wish to use the materials can apply through the platform to receive slides, videos, and worksheets that can be used directly in class (free of charge). As the lessons can be conducted following the provided script, no prior preparation is required, which also helps reduce the burden on busy teachers.

*1 The "SDGs Class" concluded in March 2026. The "Mayonnaise Class" continues to be conducted in the form of outreach classes where employees visit elementary schools nationwide.

Explaining Food Loss Quantities by Comparing Them to the Weight of Elementary School Students; Materials Designed for Children to Relate To as a "Personal Matter"

It is estimated that approximately 4.64 million tons of food loss occur in Japan annually*2. In this educational material, in response to the quiz question "How much food loss does the average Japanese person generate in a year?", the answer is presented by comparing it to the weight of elementary school students to make it easier for children to imagine. The material incorporates various devices to make the reality easier to grasp as a "personal matter" by explaining the situation using familiar data.

Furthermore, the Kewpie Group introduces its efforts to effectively utilize by-products such as eggshells and eggshell membranes without discarding them during product manufacturing, and its initiatives to use even the unused parts of vegetables without waste. Children can learn about the unique initiatives and on-site voices of a manufacturer, which are rarely encountered in educational settings. By conveying that "the accumulation of efforts by each company and individual consumer leads to food loss reduction," the aim is to encourage children to proactively think about and practice actions that can protect a rich food life and the global environment.

*2 Reference: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, "Understanding Japan's Food Loss Through Data" https://www.maff.go.jp/j/pr/aff/2510/spe1_01.html

Through this educational material, the Kewpie Group aims to provide an opportunity for the next generation of children to perceive social issues as their own, leading to a future filled with children's smiles.

Material Overview

- Material Name: Food Loss Zero Challenge Great Operation!

- Class Time: Completed in one class period (45 minutes)

- Recommended Grade: Elementary School (5th Grade)

- Recommended Subject/Unit: Social Studies / "Future Food Production and Us"

- Implementation Cost: Free

- Material Contents: Class slides, videos, worksheets, lesson script, class overview materials, parent newsletter

About ARROWS Inc.

Under the mission "To continue embodying intellect by tackling global issues," and with the vision "Transforming education, starting with teachers," ARROWS Inc. is currently focusing on educational reform initiatives. The company continues to pursue sustainable and impactful approaches through business development that prioritizes teachers and children.

Since 2013, ARROWS Inc. has developed and operated "SENSEI Note," Japan's largest online platform for teachers nationwide to share information. In 2017, they launched "SENSEI Yononaka Gaku."

【Inquiries from those wishing to use the material】

ARROWS Inc. "SENSEI Yononaka Gaku" Operations Office

- Phone: 0120-568-317 (Reception: Weekdays 10:00-17:00)

- MAIL: [email protected]

- "SENSEI Yononaka Gaku" HP: https://www.yononakagaku.com/

References

Kewpie Food Education Site

https://www.kewpie.com/education/

Kewpie Sustainability Site: "Food Loss Reduction and Effective Utilization"

https://www.kewpie.com/sustainability/eco/resources/

Kewpie Aohata News 2025 No. 95

"Bringing Smiles to Approximately 600,000 Children Through Food Education Activities - FY2025 Food Education Activity Summary"

https://www.kewpie.com/newsrelease/2025/3929/