Edo-Tokyo Vegetables in Community Gardens and Schools
Tokyo, Japan · Operator: NPO法人江戸東京野菜コンシェルジュ協会 / 江戸東京・伝統野菜研究会 / JA東京中央会
Overview
A long-running movement reviving Tokyo's near-lost heirloom 'Edo-Tokyo vegetables' in city schools, a horticultural high school and allotments. Over nearly 30 years more than 50 varieties have been registered, linking heritage food culture and farming to the next generation via school lunches and food education.
Citizen participation
Schoolchildren and horticultural high-school students grow heirloom vegetables from sowing to harvest, linked to school lunches and food-education classes; citizens also join via allotments and courses.
Operating model
Run through NPO, agricultural cooperatives, municipalities and schools; funded by membership, courses, a 'concierge' certification program, direct sales and school-lunch supply.
Impact
Combines urban heirloom-seed conservation with cultural transmission; adoption in school lunches has boosted awareness and revived production.
Crops
- 大蔵大根 (Okura daikon)
- 小松菜 (komatsuna)
- 内藤とうがらし (Naito pepper)
- 寺島なす (Terashima eggplant)
- のらぼう菜
Scale
Network of school plots, farms and community gardens across Tokyo; 50+ registered heirloom varieties
Sources(2)
This entry is compiled from the public sources, official sites and research below.
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