Members of the Hokkaido University Marché Café & Labo with products from the Terroir carefully selected according to Hokkaido University Marché standards.
| FEATURE ARTICLES | Hokkaido University Neighborhood Members of the Hokkaido University Marché Café & Labo with products from the Terroir carefully selected according to Hokkaido University Marché standards.
Why is it that there is so much that we don't know about food when it should be so close to us? There are people who are working hard to bridge the gap between production and consumption.
A marché was held on the campus of Hokkaido University every year from 2009 to 2019. A marché is an open-air market lined with small stalls, and it is a well-established culture in France, where it originated.
The Hokkaido University Marché began as an open-air market (Photo courtesy of Kobayashi Kuniyuki)
"The Hokkaido University Marché was started with the goal of linking production to consumption. The idea came from the agricultural training that is part of the education. In our ongoing interactions with farmers, we realized that the production sites were facing many problems. At the same time, we began to feel that their actual situation was not being conveyed to consumers."
Kobayashi Kuniyuki, Associate Professor, Research Faculty of Agriculture, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University
These are words from Kuniyuki Kobayashi of the Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, the man behind the Hokkaido University Marché. Nodding next to him is Tomohiro Mitani, also of the same graduate school.
There are many issues facing agriculture. For example, there is the dilemma of the decrease in rural population due to the expansion of scale. While mechanization and division of labor are increasing in efficiency, the working population is steadily declining.
At the same time, "There has been a gap between agricultural education and production sites," said Kobayashi. Students have the potential to shape the course of Japan's food and primary industries, including agricultural and rural policies. In order for these students to serve as a bridge between consumers and production sites, he believes, "We need opportunities for the students to get out of the classroom and learn about production, distribution, and consumption in an integrated manner."
Around that time, there was an opportunity to exchange opinions on regional industries transcending the boundaries of industry and business in the Okhotsk region which Kobayashi and Mitani participated in. While exchanging opinions, they decided to participate in a tour to visit a farming village in France.
The two witnessed a sustainable agriculture based on local resources and climate in the Alps region of southeastern France as well as a marché that directly connects farmers and consumers. They also learned about the concept of Terroir.
After returning to Japan, they started to create a new educational program. Utilizing a support program from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, Rakuno Gakuen University, and Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine established a graduate education program called Food Safety Science organized by the three universities, and Hokkaido University Marché was born as a course open to all graduate students.
The Hokkaido University Marché features a number of projects that give a sense of the concept of Terroir.(Photo courtesy of Kobayashi Kuniyuki)
The word Terroir is derived from the French word terre (meaning land) and refers to all the characteristics of the production area and the cultivation environment.
Mitani explains, "In Japan, the term fudo (meaning natural features of a region) can be used to describe it. Temperature, humidity, soil characteristics, and more broadly, history and the people who live there can also be elements of Terroir."
Mitani Tomohiro, Associate Professor, Research Group of Animal Science, Research Faculty of Agriculture, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University
Mitani, who has specialized in the field of dairy farming, says, "The issues we have experienced since we started the Marché have not changed much. Is mass production and consumption really sustainable agriculture? I feel as if we are drifting away from the natural land conditions that the Japanese people should have."
These issues are also faced by consumers. Have we thought about who makes our food, the process by which it is made, and what the price means?
In order to close the physical and mental gap between production and consumption as well as agricultural education and production areas, and to better embody the concept of Terroir, the Hokkaido University Marché decided to end its open-air market format in 2019. Currently, the marché has a permanent location as the Hokkaido University Marché Café & Labo. In addition to agricultural products as well as products developed and crafted by farmers themselves, they also offer products from the fishing and forestry industries.
Grand opening of Hokudai Marché Café & Labo on the first floor of the Centennial Hall
Kobayashi explains, "This is an experiment to see how we can incorporate the concept of marché and Terroir into our daily lives. It's an attempt to go back to basics and rethink what we really want to convey."
Offering products from all primary industries, including agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and forestry.
The products on the shelves are selected based on the Hokkaido University Marché standards of sustainability, honesty, fair price, and suitability for the climate.
The development of original Café & Labo products that embody the core concept of the Hokkaido University Marché has also commenced. The raw materials include raw milk from Hokkaido University's dairy cows, which is the very essence of the Terroir that can only be created on this land.
The Hokkaido University Farm was the place where the first Holstein cattle was introduced to Japan in 1889. (Photo courtesy of Mitani Tomohiro)
Café & Labo is managed by Hokkaido Rural Research Institute. It is headed by Daikoku, Hiroshi a dairy farmer from the town of Okoppe. He has been a close observer of the two from the start of the Hokkaido University Marché to the present, and provides full-scale support for their activities.
Daikoku laughs and says, "I think most people involved in education and research tend to focus on the urban areas, and few people visit the production sites. It is difficult to think about agriculture not only as a single entity but also as something that is connected to the local community. The efforts of the Hokkaido University Marché could be a challenge that goes against the mass production and efficiency of society. It's great to have the opportunity to take on that challenge."
Daikoku Hiroshi, President of North Plain Farm and President of Hokkaido Rural Research Institute
Miyawaki Takafumi and Yoshida Saki, both graduates of the Graduate School of Education at Hokkaido University, are leading the way. Miyawaki says, "I sensed the potential of the concept of producing and selling products made from milk produced from local pastures, at Hokkaido University in the center of Sapporo, so I change my job and now I am in charge of store management and dairy product processing.” When she was a graduate student, Yoshida was active as a member of the Hokkaido University Marché organizing committee, and after graduation she got a job here. She recalls, "When I participated in the Marché as a member of the committee, I learned the importance of providing a place that connects production and consumption, and of being able to see the story of the food."
Miyawaki Takafumi, Vice President and Executive Officer, Hokkaido Rural Research Institute
Yoshida Saki, Assistant Manager, Hokkaido University Marché Café & Labo, Hokkaido Rural Research Institute
In 2021, the Hokkaido University Marché took another step forward by adding an awards event. The aim of these awards is to provide a platform for farmers to share their thoughts and ideas about their daily management and local activities, and to spread them all over the world.
The awards have three categories (agriculture category, rural area category, and food category) that represent the concept of Terroir. Although there is no prize money, the winners can use the Café & Labo and receive support from the students in sharing information.
The theme of the first award was "Thinking about the future in 20 years based on issues in Hokkaido agriculture," and the Sorachi Minami Sweet Potato Club was selected as the grand prize winner from among three categories.
Kobayashi says, "We have not been able to fully identify the people who are responsible for Hokkaido's food and primary industry. I would like to highlight people who are diligently working on their crops, as well as people and initiatives who are continuing production in their communities using their outstanding skills and knowledge."
It has been 12 years since the launch of the Hokkaido University Marché. During this time, the Marché has evolved and introduced the concept of Terroir to the Hokkaido University Neighborhood.
Unique products sold at Café & Labo
In addition to being a place for consumers to connect with production sites, Café & Labo is increasingly being seen as an opportunity for part-time workers and other students to establish contact with food and primary industries.
Café & Labo, an opportunity for people to develop an interest in food and primary industries
Production and consumption, urban and rural areas, agricultural education and production sites. It may be difficult to overcome these gaps all at once. However, it is possible for each of these areas to come together and create a favorable path toward the future. The Hokkaido University Marché will continue to evolve as a bridge between these areas.
