Introduction of "Fairtrade White Sesame" to All Elementary and Junior High School Lunches in Kamakura City
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Children Learning About a Sustainable Society Through Food
In May 2026, the Kamakura Ethical Lab, in a collaborative project with the Kamakura Rotary Club, introduced Nicaraguan "Fairtrade White Sesame" from Kuki Sangyo Co., Ltd. (Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture) into the school lunches of municipal elementary and junior high schools in Kamakura City. Timed to coincide with World Fair Trade Month in May, this initiative provides a valuable opportunity for children to experience "ethical consumption" firsthand through their school lunches and to contemplate the future of a sustainable society.
Project Background and Objectives
The goal of this project is for children—the leaders of the next generation—to learn through their daily meals how they can play a part in protecting the livelihoods of producers and the environment in distant countries. Thanks to a charitable donation from the Kamakura Rotary Club as part of their social contribution activities, the adoption of Fairtrade white sesame was approved for all municipal elementary and junior high schools across the city (16 elementary schools and 10 junior high schools).
Initiatives to Deepen Dietary Education and International Understanding
In addition to the introduction of Fairtrade white sesame, a multi-faceted approach to ethical education is being deployed to enhance the children's learning outcomes.
Video Message from the Embassy of the Republic of Nicaragua in Japan
The Kamakura Ethical Lab visited the Embassy of the Republic of Nicaragua in Japan to record a video message from Her Excellency Sandy Anabell Dávila Sandoval, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. This video was distributed to each school through the Kamakura City Board of Education.
During lunchtime, children watched intently as scenes of Nicaragua, its vast fields, and its local farmers were displayed on monitors. This visual experience allowed them to learn exactly where and by whom the sesame seeds they were eating were produced. With homeroom teachers adding supplementary explanations, a simple mealtime was transformed into a live learning experience connecting the classroom to the wider world.
Distribution of Dietary Education Materials
Educational materials that explain the mechanism of Fairtrade and facts about the Republic of Nicaragua in an easy-to-understand manner were distributed. By combining video content with printed materials, a framework has been established to allow students to study ethical consumption from an international perspective.
On Friday, May 22, junior high school lunches featured "Sesame-Crusted Cod" prepared with this Fairtrade white sesame. The full menu for the day was as follows:
Hijiki Seaweed Rice
Sesame-Crusted Cod (featuring Fairtrade sesame)
Burdock Root Salad
Curry-Stir-Fried Dried Radish Strips (Kiriboshi Daikon)
Potato Miso Soup
Milk
The "Dietary Trivia Memo" (Hitokuchi Memo) distributed to each junior high school classroom on this day also highlighted the nutritional value of dried radish strips (Kiriboshi Daikon), providing students with multi-faceted learning opportunities regarding food.
Looking Ahead
The Kamakura Ethical Lab will continue to collaborate with local communities, government administrations, and international organizations to promote Fairtrade and contribute to sustainable town planning. This initiative marks a significant step forward in cultivating the "ethical perspective" that children will inevitably need as they carry society into the future
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