FOOD LOOP

FOOD LOOP is a project of reusing food waste as a new resource that Yokohama Beer Inc. runs. With the cooperation of Yokohama Environmental Conservation Inc., Yokohama Beer recycles malt from local breweries and food waste from local restaurants into compost. Then, they transport it to Doshimura, Minamitsuru County, Yamanashi Prefecture, one of Yokohama’s water sources, and grow vegetables with local farmers. Those vegetables finally come back to Yokohama Beer stores and restaurants in Yokohama. The whole process creates the cycle of FOOD LOOP. They received an award in the recycling category of the Yokohama City Food 3R Kiraboshi Activity Award in 2020 and the Yokohama Mayor’s Award in the Hello! Action Library in 2021.

In addition, Yokohama Beer has been brewing “Doshi no Yushui Jikomi” since 2016. It is a beer made with spring water from the headwaters of the Doshi River. The product makes people aware of the water source and contributes to the reevaluation of the value of local resources.

1. Composting malt and food wastes

Malt and wort are usually discharged in the boiling and brewing process. The amount of the malt is up to 2 tons a month, but most of them have been discarded. To solve such problem, FOOD LOOP composts those malt and other food waste from restaurants Yokohama Beer runs and contributes to reduction of food waste and energy.

2. Building a local recycling model

Hyakusho-kai, a group of farmers in Doshimura, grows vegetables using recycled compost. The restaurant Umaya no Shokutaku and other local restaurants serve and sell those vegetables. Not only do they use the compost to grow vegetables, but they also use it to build their business that enhances local consumption in such a heavily populated city Yokohama. This recycling loop connects the farmers who are involved in the Food Loop in Yokohama and Doshimura. It makes the services and products unique and maximizes their value.

3. Supporting the depopulated town and producing new job opportunities

Doshimura, one of the critical water sources of Yokohama, has a population of about 1,600 (as of July 2021). The depopulation and aging population are their issues lately. FOOD LOOP creates new job opportunities. It invites young workers to the town and supports them to start farming. In addition, it helps the local restaurants and stores to retain their clients and customers as well. Also, they donate some of the sales of their local water, “Doshi no Yushui Jikomi,” to the children so that they have sufficient educational materials.