Extending a Helping Hand

The United Soybean Board (USB) and the soybean checkoff continue to help those affected by the earthquake and resulting tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan by assisting small businesses there in donating food to those in need.

“Soy users in Japan have been loyal customers for more than 50 years,” said Roy Bardole, USB International Marketing program vice chair. “We hope this effort shows the Japanese people that U.S. farmers will support them in this difficult time.”

This program works with companies, including soyfood processors, suppliers and distributors, to donate soyfoods to people affected by the disasters. The soybean checkoff’s representatives who live and work in Japan continue to carry out the program. Japanese small businesses apply for reimbursement for donations of soyfoods. For example:

• The Asahimatsu Shokuhin frozen tofu manufacturing company donated the equivalent of $25,000 of tofu to the city of Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, in June. The frozen tofu was labeled “Provided by U.S. Soybean Farmers” in both English and Japanese.
• The Miyagi Prefecture Natto Association plans to donate natto, a popular Japanese soyfood made of fermented soybeans, to the area hit hardest by the tsunami.