First shipment of sunflower melons<\/h2>\n
On Monday, June 23rd from 2:30pm, the first shipment of "Hokuryu Sunflower Melons" was made at the sorting facility of the agricultural product collection and shipping facility of the JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch, with 41 boxes of melons (each box weighing 8kg) brought in by farmer Yasunori Watanabe.<\/p>\n
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- 1 box contains 4 balls, 8 kg<\/li>\n
- First shipment: 41 boxes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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First shipment of sunflower melons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a>
1 box contains 4 balls, 8 kg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a>
First shipment: 41 boxes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n A speech by Yasunori Watanabe (Vice President of the Sunflower Melon Producers Association)<\/h3>\n
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Yasunori Watanabe (Vice President of the Sunflower Melon Producers Association)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n "This year, cultivation went smoothly, but despite the bad weather that continued for about half a month from March, the growing conditions are good and shipments are about a week later than usual.<\/p>\n
"Usually, we expect to ship the fruit 55 days after fruit set, but this year we shipped the fruit 60 days after fruit set when it was more mature. As a result, the fruit is very sweet, with a sugar content of 18 degrees," said Watanabe with a smile.<\/p>\n
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Yasunori Watanabe and Yuya Fujikawa of the JA Kitasorachi Fruit and Vegetable Department<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n A talk by Yuya Fujikawa, JA Kitasorachi Fruit and Vegetable Department<\/h3>\n
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Yuya Fujikawa, JA Kitasorachi Fruit and Vegetable Department<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n This year, the Hokuryu Melon Producers Association has 23 melon farms (with a planting area of 435a, of which 73a is red-fleshed melons). They aim to ship 20,000 cases by mid-August and achieve sales of 100 million yen.<\/p>\n
Today's shipment is 41 cases (24 cases of 4-berry and 17 cases of 5-berry), all of which are of the ``Excellent'' grade, with a sugar content of 18 degrees, the highest ever!<\/p>\n
After shipping, the produce will be available for sale from this weekend at JA Kitasorachi, Roadside Station Riceland Fukagawa, and eciR, a farm produce direct sales store, and at Minoritch Hokuryu, a farm and livestock direct sales store in Hokuryu Town.<\/p>\n
Commemorative photo<\/h3>\n
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Commemorative photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Tasting Time<\/h3>\n
With the sweet aroma of melon in the air, everyone had a taste!<\/p>\n
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- delicious!!!<\/li>\n
- Fresh and gentle sweetness with a pleasant aftertaste!<\/li>\n
- It melts smoothly in your mouth!<\/li>\n
- As smooth as silken tofu!<\/lip>\n<\/ul>\n
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Smooth and refreshingly sweet sunflower melon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a>
Mayor Sasaki also tasted it and said, "It's delicious!"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a>
Sweet! Smooth!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a>
Watanabe being interviewed by the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Message from Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki<\/h3>\n
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A speech by Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n "In Hokuryu, watermelons grow, melons grow, and sunflowers bloom. They're all yellow. Yellow is a very cheerful color.<\/p>\n
"I hope that Hokuryu, despite being a small town, will shine brightly, thanks to the taste, appearance, and energy of the producers who make it," Mayor Sasaki said proudly.<\/p>\n
First auction of Hokuryu sunflower melon
\n@ Kyokuichi Fruit and Vegetable Auction (Asahikawa City)<\/h2>\nThe first auction of Hokuryu melons took place at 6:50 a.m. on Tuesday, June 24th, the day after the first shipment of melons.<\/p>\n
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Kyokuichi Co., Ltd.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The fruit and vegetable auction area is filled with a huge selection of seasonal fruits and vegetables from all over the country, and the mellow aroma of vegetables and fruits fills the market.<\/p>\n
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Participants heading to the market's racetrack<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a>
Fruits from all over the country lined up<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a>
Boxes of Hokuryu sunflower melons lined up at the auction site<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a>
Hokuryu sunflower melon with its mellow fragrance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a>
Participants<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Greetings from those involved prior to the auction<\/h3>\n
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From left: JA Kitasorachi's Nagai Minoru, Hokuryu District Representative Director, Hokuryu Town Mayor Sasaki Yasuhiro,
\nSunflower Melon Producers Association, Representative Toshimitsu Yamada<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMayor Yasuhiro Sasaki of Hokuryu Town<\/h4>\n
"Today, I spoke to each of you and handed out my business card to you. The town of Hokuryu is fully supporting us, and we will deliver to you the sunflower melons that the producers have worked so hard to cultivate, so we hope you will continue to support us."<\/p>\n
JA Kitasorachi, Minoru Nagai, Representative Director of the Hokuryu District<\/h4>\n
"This year's melons were shipped a little later than usual, but they are very delicious with a sugar content of 18 degrees.We will be able to deliver delicious melons this year as well, so we hope you will continue to support us."<\/p>\n
Sunflower Melon Producers Association, Representative Toshimitsu Yamada<\/h4>\n
"This year's melons are delicious again! We hope you enjoy our Hokuryu sunflower melons this season."<\/p>\n
First auction<\/h3>\n
The auction begins, and the auctioneers' spirited shouts ring out!<\/p>\n
The auction went smoothly! The congratulatory price was 100,000 yen (one box of 5 excellent cherries)!
\ncongratulations!<\/p>\n<\/a>
The auction was over in no time!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a>
Parties watching carefully<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a>
The gift price is 100,000 yen! Congratulations!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a>
First auction is over!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Kyokuichi Co., Ltd.
\nComment from Naoto Takahashi, Executive Director (General Manager of the Fruit and Vegetable Division)<\/h3>\nAfter the auction, Mayor Sasaki greeted Naoto Takahashi, Executive Director of Kyokuichi Co., Ltd., and we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to hear what he had to say.<\/p>\n
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With Director and Executive Officer Naoto Takahashi...<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a>
Naoto Takahashi, Director and Executive Officer (results division manager), Kyokuichi Co., Ltd.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n "Production volumes are decreasing (due to the aging of producers, etc.), but the market always needs a certain amount. That's why we're trying to devise ways to sell our products in various forms. We help increase the value of our products by changing their form, such as by making them into cut fruit to suit consumer needs, or by selling them in their beautiful state as gifts, or by vacuum-packing them for long-term storage.<\/p>\n
Until now, our main job has been to purchase and sell products, acting as an "intermediary" between producers and customers. However, going forward, consumers will increasingly demand "convenience" and "new value," so rather than simply passing products from one place to another, we will take the extra step of delivering them to the market.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, the most important thing is the stable income of our producers, who have worked so hard to create their products in such a difficult environment. Without this, our business would fundamentally be unsustainable, and ultimately, our producers would no longer be able to continue producing.<\/p>\n
We are positioned exactly between those who make and sell (producers) and those who buy (consumers). We believe that our role is to be the best possible bridge between these two parties.<\/p>\n
Stabilizing producers' income motivates them to "try again next time" and gives them a sense of security, which leads to future production. And it is precisely because of this appeal and sense of security that the next generation will be happy to participate in production.<\/p>\n
Without this, this wonderful agriculture would not last long. To that end, we ourselves must get closer to the production sites, be prepared to work hard together, and create new value.<\/p>\n
"We couldn't be more grateful to be able to have such a deep relationship with producers in this 'proper' way. We feel that this is our mission as a wholesale market," he said with a gentle smile.<\/p>\n
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Let's shake hands firmly towards the future!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Lunch Boxes and Office Introduction<\/h3>\n
After the first auction, a sumptuous breakfast was served in the restaurant of Kyokuichi Co., Ltd. on the second floor of the market. We enjoyed a delicious meal while chatting in a friendly atmosphere.<\/p>\n
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Second floor office floor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a>
Nice cafe corner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a>
The breakfast room where everyone gathered<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a>
Luxurious breakfast bento<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Plate text<\/h4>\n
The characters for "Asahi Ichi" are shaped to represent the morning sun and the horizon.
\nThe rising sun illuminates the world and symbolizes rising energy.
\nThe horizon symbolizes humility and fundamentality towards nature.
\nThe black lines are visible to people and give a sense of strength supporting the morning sun.<\/p>\nThe gradation of the morning sun and horizon represents the change of time and demonstrates the company's determination to respond to the ever-changing market.
\nWe will build on these irreplaceable todays and create a new history.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/a>
A frame explaining the meaning of Asahiichi displayed in the office<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Sunflower melon is the king of summer fruits, boasting a refreshing sweetness and a smooth texture that melts in your mouth!<\/p>\n
Filled with the love and sweetness of the producers, the finest Hokuryu sunflower melon delivers delicious flavor and energy to people all over the country, bringing them joy, with boundless love, gratitude and prayers...<\/p>\n
YouTube videos<\/h2>\n