TABLE FOR TWO USA | Annual Report 2024

ANNUAL REPORT 2024

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Dear TABLE FOR TWO USA Partners and Supporters, Your support for TABLE FOR TWO USA in 2024 has empowered us to deepen our impact and share the joy of healthy eating with thousands across the country. With your help, we’ve continued to connect communities through Japanese-inspired food education that nourishes both body and heart.

Our Wa-Sho – Learn. Cook. Eat Japanese! program reached over 5,300 participants through 292 classes and events. We also launched the Wa-Sho Seeds Partnership Program, enabling local partners in 11 states to bring our food education curriculum to their communities—a truly exciting step forward!

We were honored to contribute to the inaugural Teaching Kitchen Symposium, where over 250 professionals from 40 states gathered to advance hands-on nutrition education. Being part of this national movement reinforced our commitment to making food literacy accessible and joyful for all.

Through our online Wa-Sho course, college students across 33 schools engaged with food in new ways—some even contributing translations to make the course bilingual. And for the 10th anniversary of Onigiri Action, nearly 293,000 photos were submitted, resulting in 1.46 million meals for children in need.

Thank you for being part of this journey. With your continued support, we look forward to growing our programs and planting even more seeds of healthy eating in the years to come.

Sincerely, Mayumi Uejima-Carr

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Our Mission

CONTENTS

P3

2024 At A Glance

P4

Our Story

P5

Our Programs P7 Meal Sharing P8 ONIGIRI ACTION P9

Wa-Sho P12 #EdamameChamp P17

SDGs and Sustainability

Thank You

P21

P19

Milestones Financials

P20

P22

Our Team

P23

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In our world of 8 billion, while

1 in 10 people go hungry, 1 in 3 suffer from diet-related

OUR MISSION

health issues TABLE FOR TWO USA seeks to tackle both sides of the GLOBAL FOOD IMBALANCE

Excess Unhealthy Foods

Inadequate Food

by providing SCHOOL MEALS and FOOD EDUCATION to children in need.

3

ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2024 Onigiri Action

Onigiri Action

1.4M

292K

delivered to children in need through Onigiri Action(*).

posted during the campaign(*).

school meals

School Gardens

1M

photos

Onigiri Action

Photos from

50

school meals

states + D.C.

delivered to children through sustainable school gardens.

posted for Onigiri Action.

* The number of meals is the total of number of meals provided through TFT International and TFT USA

Wa-Sho

EdamameChamp

5,367 people participated in our Wa-Sho program.

Wa-Sho

292

Live classes/events provided all over the US.

55 events

were held during #EdamameChamp campaign

EdamameChamp

2,782 students

will have our food education opportunity

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OUR STORY / TESTIMONIALS

“I recently had the incredible opportunity to experience the Wa-Sho: Learn. Cook. Eat Japanese! program here at Capitol Hill Montessori at Logan through Polite Piggy’s afterschool program. I can honestly say it was one of the most enriching and exciting classes I've ever been a part of! From start to finish, the instructors were incredibly well-prepared and knowledgeable. They not only had a deep understanding of Japanese cuisine but also made sure to explain each step in a way that was accessible and fun for everyone.

One of the most exciting aspects of the class was the energy and enthusiasm from the students. You could see how engaged they were, eagerly soaking in every detail. The instructors created an environment where the kids felt confident enough to ask questions and to get hands-on in the kitchen. It was wonderful to see them not just learning but truly participating in the process. What made the experience even more special was watching these students learn about Japanese culture through food. It wasn’t just about following recipes; it was a cultural immersion. They got to see how food connects to tradition, history, and even language.

It was inspiring to watch them discover a new culture in such an interactive way.

Seeing the kids confidently working with ingredients they had never encountered before and taking pride in what they created was priceless. This cooking class wasn't just a lesson in making food—it was a lesson in culture, teamwork, and creativity. The Wa-Sho Japanese cooking program is truly a one-of-a-kind experience, and I’m so grateful to have been a part of it. Highly recommended!”

Site Director at Capitol Hill Montessori at Logan Polite Piggy’s

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OUR STORY / TESTIMONIALS

Elementary School Principal “I have only heard wonderful things from parents and students! The biggest thing being that it is increasing students’ passion for cooking and their confidence in making recipes for their families at home”

Parent

Teacher

“My daughter made bento for her brother right after the workshop. Great class! Looking forward to the next one!”

“Thank you so much for coming out and having the kids try something new!

It is always a treat for the kids to try something new and be exposed to other cultures.”

Elementary School Student “I loved this program because we learned how to cook.”

Elementary School Student "I liked eating healthy food that was super yummy.”

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OUR PROGRAMS

School Meals

Meal-Sharing Program

Fall Campaign

Food Education

Spring Campaign

7

1: Meal Sharing Program We partner with corporations and organizations to provide healthier options in cafeterias, restaurants, and vending machines. Twenty-five cents from each purchase is donated to provide school meals in areas of need.

Healthy “TFT menu”

National Food Band Calbee North America

Genji Sushi Bar in Whole Foods Markets across the U.S.

Healthy school lunch!

Thanks to our partners!

Vending Machines at companies, organizations, and schools

Bento at Harmonious Kitchen and BentOn Café 8

2: ONIGIRI ACTION Onigiri Action is our fall annual social good campaign that helps feed children. Since its launch in 2015, the Onigiri Action campaign has provided meals to millions of children in need around the world.

USA

*Onigiri Action partner organizations 2024

Thanks to our partners!

JAPAN

9

IMPACT OF ONIGIRI ACTION & SCHOOL MEALS

292K photos were posted

including

50 States + D.C.

52

from countries around the world,

in the U.S.,

and more than

100 US schools

participated in the campaign

Health Issues

27% → 4 % (% of students who have physical development problem)

ONIGIRI ACTION IN 10 YEARS 2015 - 2024

Over

2M PHOTOS were posted

10M MEALS

Over were served to children in need around the world

The Children in Banda village, Rwanda, who have received our meal support since kindergarten continue to attend school. Two hope to become doctors and one a teacher.

Ms. Christine in Banda Village, Rwanda, is a former recipient of our school meal support in Banda Village who pursued her studies outside the village and returned as a dedicated elementary school teacher.

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2024 HIGHLIGHTS

US&JP College Relay

ONIGIRI ACTION 10TH ANNIVERSARY

University students from took turns to post onigiri

CONNECTING 10 CITIES

KIMONO MOM Collaboration

An onigiri making event with influencer Kimono Mom.

For the 10th Anniversary, people voted on their favorite onigiri toppings!

Honolulu festival

Over 300 joined this onigiri-

THE ONIGIRI CUP

Onigiri Action Kit Workshops

In collaboration with the MAFF and JETRO LA, we hosted workshops using the kit.

SA

#OnigiriBatonTouch

Japan and the U.S. photos in a fun relay!

SCHOOLS

Hundreds of students (Elementary to College!) made onigiri.

MUFG

CORPORATIONS

-making event for Onigiri Action

SMBC

FESTIVALS

AKE FES SANDIEGO

ITOCHU EUROPE

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3: Wa-Sho Wa-Shokuiku - Learn. Cook. Eat Japanese! (Wa-Sho) is a unique Food Education Program in which American students learn about healthy eating through Japanese food, which is known as one of the world‘s healthiest diets.

Learn

Cook

Eat

Thanks to our partners!

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IMPACT OF FOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM

292

5,367

live classes/events

students

Wa-Sho class/event provided in 2024 For K-12, college students and community members

Wa-Sho Class Participants 6000

5367 4655

5000 4000 3000

2506

2000 1000

1835

1937

2018

2019

2967

3353

588

0

2017

2020

2021

2022

The program has reached over

23K students since its launch in 2017

2023

2024

Our post class surveys show

Confidence in Cooking

47% → 85% Identify a Balanced Meal

57% → 94%

& Comprehension

92% & 89% 13

WHY JAPANESE-INSPIRED FOOD EDUCATION?

Why Japanese-inspired?

Balanced Diet & Longevity - Registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage - One of the healthiest diets in the world

Comprehensive Approach - Balanced meals - Gratitude for food - Inheritance of a rich food culture - Solving food-related problems

Practical & Tasty Way of Cooking - Teach how to cook healthy and tasty meals - Use various cooking methods not only cutting and mixing but also stir frying, grilling, boiling

Wa-Sho combines two Japanese words

和食

食育

WA SHOKU SHOKU IKU = Japanese Food

+

= Food Education

Why Food Education?

15 in

US children are obese

Source: National Healt h Statistics Reports Nr.158, 2021

Among US children, the majority of energy comes from

23%

67

%

Ultra Processed Foods

Source: Trends in Consumpt io n of Ultraprocessed Foods Among US Youths Aged 2-19 Years, 1999-201 8

Lacking Nutrition Education Necessary amount per year

40-80 hrs

recommended

Average amount US students receive per year

7 hrs

Source: Scho ol Health Policies and Practices Study. 20 14

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2024 HIGHLIGHTS Part1 Wa-Sho seeds

A new partnership program “Wa-Sho Seeds” was launched to spread “Wa-Sho” to more regions in the U.S. Our partner instructors use our curriculum (seeds) and implement (grow) Wa-Sho programs in their communities

Mini Wa-Sho On-demand

3-lesson condensed version offered to schools

Over 30 colleges across the

Teaching Kitchen

TFT presented at the Teaching Kitchen Symposium, which brought together professionals dedicated to advancing hands-on approaches to nutrition education in teaching kitchen settings

Nutrition curriculum integration

Course

The Wa-Sho was integrated into the nutrition curriculum for 3rd-grade students

e States utilized the course 15

2024 HIGHLIGHTS Part2 Cookbook

Our cookbook for Kids and Family will be published!

Release Date: Aug 2025

Chef collaboration

A lesson on how to cook vegetables in a tasty way and prepare a Japanese omelet taught

by Chef Masa from Kyoto!

Navy families Okonomiyaki, Sweets to Soy, various lessons were provided for Navy families!

Ouchigohan

This year we worked with 8 Japan Societies to bring 11 online cooking classes to 350 participants across the U.S. 16

4: #EdamameChamp #EdamameChamp is our spring campaign to promote healthy eating through Japanese cuisine focusing on soy and to raise funds for teaching healthy eating to children.

JOIN EVENTS CHOPSTICKS COMPETITION & MORE

JOIN SOY PHOTO CHALLENGE

Thanks to our partners!

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2024 HIGHLIGHTS

Soy-related photos were posted!

Corporate Events

JAPAN-RELATED ORGANIZATIONS We partnered with the Embassy of Japan. With Japan Foundation LA, we organized "Hakko/Fermentation” event with Mr. Hiraku Ogura

We had a demo the Japanese Fo

and Chopsticks Challenge at ood Festival in Honolulu

SCHOOLS Students participated in chopsticks challenges and learned to cook soy-based foods

EVENTS

Sakura Matsuri in DC.

Top performers in Chopsticks Challenges competed in the US Final

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TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE WORLD

Sust Sch Proj

At the schools we support in Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania, innovative sustainable schoo pumps powered by solar energy have been built. Schools along with community membe and maize and sell the crops to purchase enough maize for school meals. Plus, children a members can learn about agricultural practices, food, nutrition education and environm

tainable ool Garden ject

ol gardens with irrigation ers can grow vegetables and community mental conservation.

School meals provide a chance to acquire knowledge to reduce the poverty gap

We try to end hunger by providing school meals to children in need

We teach how to eat healthy and provide balanced school meals

Providing school lunches increases school attendance rates

We are achieving

7 of 17goals of Donating to schools in need reduces inequality

Refuse-derived fuel is used to prepare school meals to protect the forests

Internationally, we partner with about 1,000 organizations

SDGs through our activities

NEW! “Fish Farming” project started!

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INCOME

FINANCIALS Events Revenue 10%

Other Revenue 3%

Earmarked for Operations 87%

Earmarked for Operations

$224,536

Events Revenue

$25,310

Other Revenue

$7,149

Total $256,995

EXPENSES

Management & General 15% Fundraising 2%

Program Services 83%

Program Services

$203,948

Fundraising

$3,624

Management & General

$37,067

Total $244,639

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IMPLEMENTING PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS Japan-related Organizations Embassy of Japan, Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC), The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of JAPAN (MAFF), The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Los Angeles, Japan Foundation Los Angeles/New York, Japan-America Society of Washington DC / Georgia / Boston / Houston / Colorado / Indiana / New York / Greater Philadelphia / North Carolina, JTM, Japanese Friendship Garden San Diego, US JETAA, Japanese Exchange and Teaching Program, National Japan Bowl, JOI, Globalize DC, Morikami Garden, Phoenix Garden, JCC Chicago, JACCC, Sakura Foundation, etc.

Colleges George Washington, Yale, UCSD, East Los Angeles College, Air Force AcademyColorado State, North Central College, DePaul, Illinois Wesleyan University, University of Iowa, University of Maryland, University of Minnesota, Mississippi State, Pacific University, Swarthmore College, Texas A&M, Baylor, Marshall, University of Wisconsin-River Falls/Madison/Milwaukee/Superior/Eau Claire Harvard's Reischauer Institute for Japanese Studies, MIT, Long Beach City College, Colorado College, University of Central Florida, Northwestern University, Western Carolina University, The University of Akron, Ohio Wesleyan University, SUNY Binghamton, Kent State, Oregon State, Ursinus College, University of Tennessee at Martin, University of Houston, NYU etc

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR

SUPPORT

Schools & related organizations DC/New York/San Diego/LA/Arlington/Montgomery Public Schools, NYC Department of Education

Community Organizations and Supporters National Geographic, US Navy, Sanrio-Tanaka Farms, Children’s Museum of Manhattan, Boys and Girls Club, HAA, Baltimore Sister Cities, Novi Library, Belle Isle Conservancy, Misaki Harada, Hakubai, Mazza Museum, Central Kitchen

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Milestones

TABLE FOR TWO STARTED

TABLE FOR TWO USA STARTED

2008

ONIGIRI ACTI LAUNCHED

2013

Timeline

2007

2010

MEAL SHARING PROGRAM LAUNCHED

2015

FIRST SCHOOL MEALS PROVIDED IN USA

PR

TABLE FOR TWO was initiated by and Economic Forum's Young Global Lea

As a non-profit organization which st globally, TFT USA has started innovat Action, #EdamameChamp and Wa Japanese!- featuring Japanese food issues.

ON D

RECEIVED TWO PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS

ONIGIRI ACTION POSTS FROM ALL US STATES

from the Japanese Government

2017

2020

2019

WA-SHOKUIKU ROGRAM LAUNCHED

#EDAMAMECHAMP LAUNCHED

2024

2023 WA-SHO SEEDS LAUNCHED

d is an official affiliate of the World aders.

tarted in Japan and has expanded tive programs including Onigiri a-Shokuiku -Learn. Cook. Eat d culture to tackle critical health 22

OUR TEAM Executive Advisors Professor Jeffery Sacks

Ambassador Motoatsu Sakurai

Director of the Earth Institute; Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development at Columbia University; Special Advisor to UN

Former President of Japan Society New York; Former President of Mitsubishi International Corporation; Former Ambassador and Consul General of Japan in New York

Board of Directors Satoru Murase

Hideharu Kojima

Partner, Mayer Brown LLP

Partner, KPMG

Masahisa Kogure

Fumitsugu Tosu

Executive Director, TFT International

Head of Programme, UN World Food Programme

Atsushi Kuromatsu

Daniel Goldstein

President, Mitery Associates

CEO, Purple Carrot

TABLE FOR TWO International: Founders James Kondo

Syokei Suda

Chairman, International House of Japan

President of Enigmo Inc.

Motohisa Furukawa Member of the House of Representatives

Nobuo Domae

Kohey Takashima President of Oisix ra daichi Inc.

Kumi Fujisawa Co-Founder of SophiaBank

Chairperson, Member of the Board of Directors, Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.

Chikara Funabashi

Keiichiro Asao

Kota Matsuda

Member of the House of Representatives

Project Director, Tobitate! (Leap for Tomorrow) Study Abroad Initiative

Founder of Tully’s Coffee Japan

Core Members Mayumi Uejima-Carr Debra Samuels Nazumi Takeda Sanae Uchinaka Miwako Felix Amy Fuentes Christy Hirokawa

President of TABLE FOR TWO USA Curriculum Development Program Officer Communications Planner Partner Development/Program Coordination Communications Partner Development

Advisors Merry White Academic Consultant Masa Kogure Executive Director, TABLE FOR TWO International Katsura Omori Professor at Yamagata University in Japan Koji Otani Teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School Chef Andy Matsuda Sushi Chef Institute Owner Chef Nobu Yamazaki Sushi Taro Chef

Instructors & Class Assistants Yumiko Ebina, Yumi Komatsudaira, Hiroko Deegan, Chisato Kinoshita, Seiko Nishida, Noriko Imura, Hidetoshi Imura, Kana Koide, Setsu Matsuda, Kayoko Sakon, Mariya James, Yui Furukawa, Yoko Nieves, Yoko Ho, Chie Abe, Haruka Satake, Joanne Heininger, Maki Bowman, Avalon Akashi, Fumi Oliver, Eriko Hisamatsu, Mizue Krygowski, Mai Ochiai, Aya Wall, Masami Kachi, Joh Reeves, Kai Akuzawa, Marehiko Sakai

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THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR

SUPPORT

https://usa.tablefor2.org/

2023 TABLE FOR TWO USA. All rights reserved. TABLE FOR TWO USA is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization.