The “1st Organic Lifestyle EXPO in Kyoto 2024” was held at the Miyako Messe in Kyoto between June 28 (Fri) and 29 (Sat), 2024. VegeProject Japan exhibited within the booth of Kameoka City, offering plant-based meat tastings, selling vegan food, and introducing our activities to corporate and institutional visitors, as well as some visitors from the general public.

 　

Kameoka: A City Leading in Environmental Initiatives

Kameoka City has been pioneering nationwide by enacting a ban on plastic shopping bags and declaring its commitment to organic agriculture through the “Organic Village Declaration.”

At a recent meeting, VegeProject’s founder Haruko Kawano met Mayor Takahiro Katsuragawa of Kameoka City, and explained the relevance and potential of introducing vegan options in the area. The mayor supported the cause, leading to this first collaboration as exhibitors within the city’s booth at the exhibition.

You can see the article about their meeting from here.

Plant-Based Meat Tastings (“Vegan Chunk” by Nisshin Shokai)

At VegeProject’s section of Kameoka City’s booth, we introduced the public to plant-based meats by offering free tastings of “Vegan Beef Chunk” by Nisshin Shokai. This vegan certified product is a flavored plant-based meat blending of soy protein, wheat starch, shiitake mushrooms and other plant-based ingredients. Sold frozen, it is easy to cook as can also be enjoyed without additional seasoning. Many who sampled this product were pleasantly surprised by its texture and flavor, which closely replicates beef.

 

Vegan Beef Nanbanzuke and Vegan Cookies

Together with the samples, we sold a “Vegan Beef Chunk” with onion nanbanzuke (dish marinated in vinegar sauce) using onions from Kameoka City, as well as gluten-free vegan cookies made with organic ingredients.

 

The nanbanzuke recipe was provided by VegeProject, and was prepared by local eatery “KAMEOKA FOOD kitchen“, located in front of Kameoka Station and directly operated by a vegetable farmer. Owner Takeshi Tanimura is planning to introduce vegan menus to the store following this initiative.

The vegan cookies were created in collaboration between the vegan cafe “Shōchiku En” in Asakusa and our organization. They come in cocoa and matcha flavors, and both use organic ingredients. The vegan cookies were also presented as gifts to the winners of the “1st Kids Award Kyoto” art contest held at the exhibition.

Mayor Takahiro Katsuragawa’s Visit Recorded on TV

On the second day of the exhibition, Mayor Takahiro Katsuragawa of Kameoka City visited the venue and came to support our booth. This scene was covered by the local television. While enjoying the vegan meat nanbanzuke, the mayor discussed how vegan cuisine is a growing topic of interest and the potential for community development related to vegan food.

 　

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone in Kameoka City who supported us in preparing for the exhibition and warmly welcomed us on the day, to President Masafumi Ito of Kyoto Vege Labo for introducing our organization, to Nisshin Shokai, Shochiku-En, and Kameoka Food Kitchen for making the offering of vegan food possible, and to all visitors who showed interest in our activities.

Group Picture of Kameoka City Exhibitors