Food Products Department - Our Endeavors
We Put Importance on Our Food Suppliers
As we are involved in the distribution of food products, we believe that one of our most important roles to bring food producers and consumers in contact with one another. We visit the fields where food is produced and see it with our own eyes. By visiting the fields and learning how fruit and vegetables are grown, not only we are educating our employees to become food specialists, but we are also able to provide even more safe and reliable products to consumers by keeping our bonds with the food producers transparent.
Cooperation with Producing Districts Food Production Areas
Since the establishment of the company as a wholesaler, we deem a good relationship with our producers to be the most important. We not only establish strong connections with the producers, but also with distribution organizations. Since we are directly connected to the producers and actively exchange opinions and thoughts, we are able to carry out new initiatives and endeavors more smoothly.
Fruit and Vegetable Processing
At the Yokohama F&V Processing Center in Tsurumi Ward, we perform processing operations such as cutting and packaging fruit and vegetables to meet the needs of modern-day consumers.
In order to make sure that every customer is provided with safe products, food processing operations take place in a fully pre-cooled facility, in hygienic clean room. We perform quality control of the products untill shipment.
Joint Development
Collaborating with food production areas, organizations and other wholesalers, we develop and sell original fruit gift products to mass retailers.
Tentomushi no Kai : the Producers of the Yamanashi Peach
For over 35 years we have been developing a great partnership with ‘Tentomushi no Kai’, producers of the Yamanashi peach, located in Fuefuki in Yamanashi-Prefecture. These producers took the initiative to create an organization, Tentomushi no Kai, sharing a passion for bringing the authentic taste of the peach to consumers. In order to provide a great taste, they focus on quality over efficiency, and ascertain the quality of the peach by plucking each fruit by hand.
Recently, as time has passed, a young, fresh and powerful new generation has joined the organization and they are even more motivated. As one of the initiatives, they have obtained official certifications attested by the Japanese government: they have been certified Eco Farmer and GAP by the Yamanashi Prefecture.
The Japanese Food Culture: A Rich Tradition
At IWASAWA Food Products Department, we believe in the importance of continuing the traditions of the Japanese food culture. We continue to take responsibility for passing on the rich Japanese food culture in many ways.
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January 7th
Seven Spring HerbsIn Japan, we eat the seven herb rice porridge on the morning of January 7th. The seven herb rice porridge was introduced from China and then became popular in Japan by Edo period. Its original tradition is to protect oneself against evils and invite good luck and longevity by eating the seven herbs that endure the cold winter.
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February 3rd
SetsubunSetsubun is the event held to pray for our happy and healthy life. Some people decorate their house entrances with sardine heads and holly branches to protect their houses from the Ogre.
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May 5th
Children’s DayChildren’s Day is an annual holiday held throughout Japan that takes place on May 5th. “Syobu” is Japanese Sweet Flag Grass and we have the tradition to put it in the heated bathwater to purify our body. This also means to pray for the success of all children and for keeping them protected from accidents, diseases or natural disasters.