Ehime University Partners with PSS on School Meal Project

We’re proud to see a recent feature in The Mainichi, one of Japan’s oldest and most prestigious newspapers, highlighting the work of students from Ehime University in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, who are partnering with schools in Saipan through the “Marianas Kyushoku Project.”  The article focused on efforts to address food waste in our public school meal programs while strengthening educational and cultural ties between Japan and the CNMI.  The students have been traveling to Saipan to study school meal conditions, conduct surveys, and work directly with our Public School System and nutrition officials to better understand why so much food is going uneaten.  Their research found that in some schools, nearly two-thirds of meals served were discarded in a single day.  In response, they are helping develop practical solutions such as improving menus, encouraging healthier eating habits, and testing new approaches in school cafeterias.  The students are taking the time to learn from our community and work alongside local educators and families to find solutions together.  Their efforts reflect the enduring relationship between Japan and the CNMI, a connection rooted in generations of shared history and friendship that continues to this day.