Norouchi Vegetable Processing and Production Association
(Ikeda Town in Miyoshi City)

The Kaminoro district of Ikeda town in Miyoshi City is located in the mountains at an altitude of 400–500 m above sea level.

The area was originally a prosperous agricultural area where leaf tobacco was cultivated, and tomatoes and other summer vegetables are now grown in the area.

In the Kaminoro district, 22 farm households have formed a vegetable processing and production association called " Aikurushii Yum-Yum" to revitalize an area that is losing vitality due to depopulation, aging of the population, and increasing abandonment of cultivated land. The product is a powder made from dried vegetables that cannot be shipped.

They used the kitchen of the closed Norouchi Elementary School as the processing plant.

Vegetable powder is made from vegetables that are too small or slightly damaged by ships. To date, more than a dozen vegetables, including carrots, komatsuna, spinach, green peppers, and squash have been dried and commercialized as vegetable powders.

Dried vegetables are also popular among mothers with small children because they have less aroma.

By adding vegetables to dishes, they help encourage children who do not like vegetables. It can also be used in a variety of other dishes such as bread, baby food, and meals for the elderly.

The association hopes to continue developing various products using local variables.