How to keep vegetables from spoiling at home.
After traveling to different fields, have you noticed any changes in food loss or the environment over the past 10 years?
Suzuki: The generation of farmers is also changing, but when the generations are close to each other, they can talk to each other. We think the same things. Of course, it depends on the person, but I realize that it is difficult for older people to understand what I am talking about. Even my own parents would not understand, much less... . . However, there are many people who want to change the world, and I feel that the awareness of farmers is actually changing.
Do you talk about that kind of thing with your customers at your restaurant?
Suzuki: . First of all, we should genuinely communicate with the customers who come to us. . It is more important who you buy from than what you buy. . So, I think it is important to let them get to know us first. We want our customers to feel comfortable here. Some customers may not want to be talked to, but since we are here, we do talk to them (laughs). (Laughs.) I don't want to respond to them silently, like a customer service person at a convenience store. I also don't want to be silent like a customer service person at a convenience store. I am happy when I see customers talking to each other while eating their ice cream. The name "Mikotoya House" was chosen because I want people to feel at home here.
. Like in the vegetable section, it is easier for the buyer to understand if he or she can hear the story of where the vegetables come from and the background of their production firsthand from the store staff.
Suzuki: Food loss from eating out is huge, but there is also a lot of loss at home. . for example, they let them rot and throw them away. . But when they hear the story of the vegetable, they eat it with care. They may use the peel of the vegetable until the end when they hear that they can use the peel. I think that most of the vegetables they buy from us are not wasted at all.
Indeed .
Suzuki: But even if you are going to explain such stories, etc., you must first communicate with them before doing so. It is no good talking about "farmers are..." to someone with whom you do not have a frank relationship. When I visit farmers, I don't talk much about business, but only ask about how they met their wives, their hobbies, etc. I want to know the personalities of the farmers. I want to know the personalities of the farmers. On the other hand, it is also important for them to get to know us, so we talk about many things. Sometimes we forget to ask them about important business matters, and we realize it later! (laughs).
