Workshop6:
Farmers and the Consumer Movement:
A Reconcilable Vision in Food Security
and Sovereignty?
October 18, 2011
Seikatsu Club Movement
as "a Consumer who produces"
Seikatsu Club Consumers’
Co-operative Union
Contents
1.Who is Seikatsu Club?
2.Creating an alternative economy
3.Food security and food sovereignty
1. Who is the Seikatsu Club?
 Seikatsu Club started in 1965 as a voluntary association
by 200 women who wanted to reform their lives and
local community.
 Seikatsu Club Consumers’ Coop incorporated in 1968.
 In 2011, 32 local Seikatsu Club Consumers’ Coops in 21
prefectures , they affiliate to Seikatsu Club Union.
Facts and Figures (2010)
Numbers of
Members
350,000
Annual Sales
86.6bil. yen
(US$ 1,1 bil.)
Amount of
Investment
35bil. yen
(US$455m.)
2. Creating an Alternative Economy
“A consumer who produces”
Development of “Consumer materials”
 With participation of members.
 The specification of food and other consumer goods
is decided in cooperation with the producers.
Pre-order Collective Purchase
 Well planned production and supply.
 The purchase of safer goods at fair prices.
 3 Collective purchase models.
- “Han”—Group buying
- “Individual delivery”
- “Depot”–- Shop style
Solidarity with Producers
 Producer cost guarantee system.
 Purchasing contracted amount of produce.
 Members and producers visit each other.
 Assist the farmers in agricultural works.
3. Food Security and Food Sovereignty
Seikatsu Club Principle
10 principles on safety, health and the environment
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Pursuit of safety for consumer materials
Raising self-sufficiency in food
Reduction of harmful substances
Sustainable use of natural resources
Reduction of waste and promotion of reuse
Reduction of energy use
Reduction of risk
Information disclosure
Independent control and auditing
Participation
Independent Control and Auditing system
 Different from other general quality control
standards --- producers aim higher level in
cooperation with Seikatsu Club members.
 Setting independent standards.
 Disclosure of the information.
 “Mass Independent Control”
--Through study session and on-spot inspection.
--790 independent audits by 6500 Seikatsu Club
members (2007-2010)
Seikatsu Club Avoids
Using GMO Foods and Crops
 Removing GMO materials from most food
including animal feed.
 Full labeling system.
 “GMO Free Zone Movement”
 The Feed Rice Project( 2004~)
 Domestic rape seed flowers for oil.
The proposal from Seikatsu Club
 Important things for society---Local and citizen
sovereignty, Autonomy, Self determination and
management.
 Our objectives are;
 Sustainable growth--We are more active with
regards to production techniques, quality and
pricing .
 To share with producers –the risk of time,
space, cost…
Our challenge for the future
 Facing the earthquake, Tsunami and
Fukushima nuclear power plant accident
Thank you
Yangja SUH
Seikatsu Club Consumers’ Co-operative Group
s-yang@prics.net
http://www.seikatsuclub.coop/