Five vehicles donated by the Pal System Group to the Peace Boat Disaster Relief Center (PBV) have been converted into kitchen cars and were unveiled on Saturday, May 16, in Kasugai City, Aichi Prefecture. These vehicles will be utilized for meal distribution and supply distribution in disaster-stricken areas, as well as serving as mobile food pantries for those in need.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by Ms. Rie Yasuda, in charge of the kitchen car project at PBV, Mr. Yasuhiro Kamijima, Director of the Evacuation Life Support Network (EDAN), and Mr. Yutaka Nakane, Executive Officer and General Manager of the Planning and Policy Department of the Pal System Consumers' Co-operative Union.

The converted kitchen cars are named 'FOOBOUR'—a blend of 'food' and 'harbor'—and are equipped with a kitchen, refrigerator/freezer, and power supply. During periods without disaster relief needs, they will operate as mobile food pantries in cooperation with local governments to provide food and daily necessities to those in need. Currently, deployment has been decided for three prefectures: Ehime, Nagano, and Miyagi (Ishinomaki City).

The vehicles were donated in 2025 by Pal-Line Co., Ltd., a logistics company within the Pal System Group. PBV converted them into FOOBOUR using an EDAN grant scheme.

Director Kamijima stated, 'Since co-op delivery trucks can be driven with a standard driver's license, they can move flexibly. They will be active nationwide after the conversion.' Executive Officer Nakane added, 'I look forward to their fulfilling 'second start'.'

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: News
  • Products / services: FOOBOUR