Online store WakeAi supports single mothers and fathers with free food

Since COVID-19 saw its rise last year, social contribution online store WakeAi has been contributing to reducing food loss through their online platform. Here, people can buy products from producers and businesses that have stagnated or stopped operating due to the spread of the coronavirus.

Under the slogan, “Buy and Support, Eat and Support,” WakeAi provides people with a range of products at an affordable price while supporting businesses—mostly in the food industry—that are facing difficulties. It operates the largest coronavirus-related support Facebook group in Japan, with a user community of 360,000. Since its official release in October 2020, the platform has received more than 80,000 orders.

In mid-January, WakeAi announced that it would be taking its activities a step further. It wants to support roughly 1.41 million single-parent households with their first attempt at a “WakeAi Food Bank.” A food bank is where organizations collect non-standard products manufactured by food companies and provide them to welfare facilities free of charge. However, due to the coronavirus, WakeAi will not be giving out overstocked or non-standard products. With the support of Yamashige Co., Ltd. , the parent company of WakeAi, it will be giving out 500g of chopped beef to 200 households for free (no shipping fee required).

Single parents can apply by filling out an application form. The deadline for the first installment will be as soon as the assigned numbers are given. WakeAi says it will continue its food bank in the future. So those who could not receive the product but are still eager to do so should look out for their second and third distributions.

In the future, WakeAi hopes it can tackle not only food loss but also Sustainable Development Goals through social activities at a larger scale. It hopes to expand its activities to involve everyone in the community, giving each other a helping hand to make the world a better place.