Chika Takahashi, Developer of 'Umi Purin', Receives the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Secretariat Director's Award at the 47th Food Industry Excellent Enterprise Awards

Chika Takahashi, representative of Namion (Headquarters: 88-1F Taito Beach, 5-5 Torami, Ichinomiya-machi, Chosei-gun, Chiba; URL: https://umipurin.jp/), received the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Secretariat Director's Award in the Food Industry Category (Agriculture-Commerce-Industry Collaboration Promotion Type) at the 47th Food Industry Excellent Enterprise Awards. This award recognizes contributions to regional revitalization and collaboration with local agricultural and fishery workers. The award ceremony was held on Monday, March 2, 2026, at Josui Kaikan (Tokyo Kaikan), and the certificate was presented by Mr. Kawaminami, Deputy Director-General of the Minister's Secretariat, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Award Details

**[Award Name]** The 47th Food Industry Excellent Enterprise Awards Food Industry Category <Agriculture-Commerce-Industry Collaboration Promotion Type> Received the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Secretariat Director's Award https://www.shokusan.or.jp/yuryo-kigyo/winner/9097/

This category evaluates initiatives that have contributed to the development of local industries through collaboration with local agricultural and fishery workers, raw material procurement, and job creation.

**[Summary of Achievements]** Since 2023, she has developed and started selling "Umi Purin" (Sea Pudding) utilizing local ingredients. Promoting the branding of regional resources using milk and eggs from Chiba Prefecture. "Umi Purin" won the Bronze Award at the "Chiba Food Masterpiece Discovery 2025". In addition, by utilizing sub-standard pears, the initiative supports farmers and tackles food loss reduction. Furthermore, collaborating with tourist associations and regional events, she works with local tourism associations and event organizers in Ichinomiya Town to develop activities that connect local tourism with food.

About the Food Industry Excellent Enterprise Awards Started in 1979 with the aim of contributing to the development of the food industry and the improvement of the national diet. Since then, it has widely recognized companies, organizations, individuals, and holders of advanced technologies/skills who have made significant achievements in the food manufacturing and distribution industries. This award project is sponsored by the Food Industry Center and the Food Distribution Rationalization Promotion Organization, under the backing of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.