TABLE FOR TWO "Change the World With Onigiri (Rice Ball)" Social Action Program Reached the Goal to Provide 25,000 School Meals

Press Release • updated: Dec 17, 2015

New York, NY, December 17, 2015 (Newswire.com) - TABLE FOR TWO (TFT) USA , a non-profit organization that aims to tackle obesity and hunger issues simultaneously, created a social action program called “Change the World with Onigiri (Rice ball)” to support the annual World Food Day campaign from October 16th to November 30th. TFT fans and supporters from all over the world submitted photos of their own Onigiri enjoyment to the campaign site. Sponsor companies (San-J, Zojirushi America, Udemy, Yamamotoyama of America, Japan Block Fair, BentOn, Onigilly, Rejob, Standby) donated 5 meals per photo submitted. In Africa, a 25-cent donation funds one school meal to a child. In the U.S., it facilitates a school meal upgraded with fresh vegetables and fruits in low-income neighborhood districts.

The program generated a total of 5,488 Onigiri photos that were posted from all over the world, surpassing the 5,000 photo / 25,000 school meals campaign goal. To commemorate surpassing the goal, a mosaic of a smiling child in Africa was created by using the 5,488 photos that were posted on the campaign website.
URL http://jp.tablefor2.org/campaign/onigiri/en

TABLE FOR TWO was first established in Japan in 2007 and has spread to 14 countries including the U.S. Japanese food culture is acknowledged as one of the world’s healthiest and is spreading widely around the world. As a non-profit organization with roots in Japan, TFT promotes the enjoyment of Japanese food culture through this campaign and aims to provide school meals to children in need. Onigiri is featured to celebrate Rice, one of the major Japanese agricultural products, and to showcase the Japanese tradition of making Onigiri for others with love. Among the all the great photos, the Best of the Best Onigiri photos were awarded.

“Let’s be Onigiri!” Award (New York/DC/SF/LA)
TFT supporters made this special TFT Onigiri mask and everybody loved the chance to be in the middle!

“First-time Onigiri” Award (New Jersey)
The teachers and students at Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School had never eaten or made Onigiri before. But to provide school meals to children in Africa, they decided to get a recipe and give it a try! Great job!

“Best Onigiri Selfie” Award (San Francisco)
TFT supporters at Udemy captured Onigiri from a lot of different angles!

“Happy Thanksgiving Onigiri” Award (Ohio)
A family in Ohio celebrated their 26th annual turkey party with 31 friends and family; Onigiri became the new Thanksgiving tradition thanks to their former home stay students.

“Best Onigiri Smile” Award (Washington DC)
Ambassador Sasae posed happily with Onigiri.

"Highest Onigiri!" Award (France)
The Onigiri photo was taken at the top of Mount Blanc!

"Onigiri from Africa!" Award (Uganda)
TFT is very happy to see the Onigiri photo from Uganda where TFT has been providing school meals

"Onigiri on parade!" Award (Los Angeles)
Chef Andy Matsuda showed all kinds of Onigiri with delicious fillings using special local food from each region of Japan and Onigirazu (Onigiri sandwich).

"Most experienced Onigiri" Award (Los Angeles)
Kiyoko, 94-year-old TFT supporter in Los Angeles made a very special and warm Onigiri

TABLE FOR TWO USA Co-President Mayumi Uejima-Carr
“To enable many more supporters to participate in the campaign, we tried the Onigiri social action program for the first time. We were very happy to see all the fun and heart warming photos from all over the world. We appreciate everyone’s support in bringing many smiles to children in need.”

To visit the campaign site, please visit: http://jp.tablefor2.org/campaign/onigiri/en. For more information about TFT, please visit: http://usa.tablefor2.org

About TABLE FOR TWO USA:
TABLE FOR TWO (TFT) is a 501(C)(3) organization that addresses the opposite issues of hunger and obesity through a unique meal sharing program. TFT partners with corporations, restaurants, university dining halls and other food establishments to serve healthy, low-calorie, TFT-branded meals. For each one of these healthy meals served, $0.25 is donated to provide one school meal for a child in need. It is in this way that TFT has served healthy meals to both sides of the "table." The TFT initiative is an official affiliate of the World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders.

Media Contact:
Mayumi Uejima-Carr
Co-President
TABLE FOR TWO USA
E: m.uejima@tablefor2.org
P: 318-359-9736