AGRIGATE

AGRIGATE Inc. is a Japanese company aiming to build a new infrastructure for the food and agriculture industry. The company was founded by Katsunori Sakon, who started it as a sole proprietorship in February 2009 and incorporated it in January 2010. Sakon's journey began after witnessing the lack of young workers in rural farming communities and the prevalence of less-than-ideal dietary habits in urban areas, which inspired him to enter the agriculture sector to solve these interconnected problems.

The core of AGRIGATE's strategy is a business model termed SPF (Specialty store retailer of Private label Food), which vertically integrates the entire supply chain from production and sourcing to manufacturing and retail sales. This model is adapted from the successful SPA (Specialty store retailer of Private label Apparel) concept in the fashion industry. The company's flagship operation under this model is "Shunpachi Seikaten," a chain of urban greengrocers launched in October 2013. These stores sell fresh produce, including items that may not meet conventional appearance standards but are high in quality, as well as processed foods, meats, and fish. By managing the entire process, from sourcing directly from farms and wholesale markets to selling in its own stores, AGRIGATE reduces intermediate costs and food waste.

In addition to its retail outlets, the company operates "Shunpachi Kitchen," which prepares and sells bento boxes and side dishes using produce from its greengrocers, further minimizing waste and adding value. AGRIGATE also runs an online store, a wholesale business supplying other companies, and a regional PR division that uses its stores as media to promote regional products. Recognizing the need for skilled professionals in the sector, the company established "Shunpachi University," an educational initiative to nurture talent for the food and agriculture industry. In March 2023, AGRIGATE became a consolidated subsidiary of Oisix ra daichi Co., Ltd., a major player in Japan's food delivery service sector, a move intended to create synergies and accelerate growth by strengthening the handling of a wider range of agricultural products and reducing food loss.

Keywords: food distribution, agriculture, urban retail, greengrocer, SPF model, supply chain integration, direct sourcing, food waste reduction, bento, prepared foods, online grocery, wholesale produce, regional promotion, agriculture education, Katsunori Sakon, Shunpachi Seikaten, Oisix ra daichi, Japanese agriculture, food tech, sustainable agriculture