"Kodomo Shokudo" Kids' Cafeterias Hit Record 12,601 Sites
The number of "kodomo shokudo" community cafeterias that provide free or low-cost meals mainly to needy children in Japan has reached a record 12,601 this fiscal year, according to a survey by a nonprofit organisation (NPO).
- The number of "Kodomo Shokudo" kids' cafeterias in Japan has reached a record high of 12,601.
- This represents an increase of more than 1,700 locations from the previous fiscal year, according to a survey by the NPO Musubie.
- The expansion is attributed to support from central and local governments to create comfortable spaces for children.
- Despite the growth, a separate survey showed that nearly 85% of cafeteria operators are negatively impacted by rising prices.
The total rose by more than 1,700 from the previous fiscal year, said the survey released Thursday (December 11) by Musubie, a Tokyo-based NPO supporting kodomo shokudo programs nationwide.
The NPO said the expansion reflected efforts by central and local
governments to create comfortable spaces for children.
"We aim to create an environment that makes it easier to start and sustain kodomo shokudo programs," Musubie head Rie Mishima said at a press conference.
Musubie also released the results of a separate survey conducted in July and August among the operators of 1,518 kodomo shokudo cafeterias across the country, which showed that 84.7 per cent of respondents feel the impact of price increases on their activities.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
