A women-only fitness club franchise has been promoting food drives among its members, aimed at getting housewives and others to donate nonperishable items to foster care facilities, food banks and other charities.
Since 2007, Curves Japan has been conducting annual food drives with the cooperation of its gym members. In gyms nationwide, the company collected about 265 tons of food, which was donated to 675 facilities in January and February.
Approximately half of an estimated 6.3 million tons of wasted food is thrown out by households annually. A large portion is also unsold food at supermarkets and items that have passed expiration dates.