On September 16, 2023, SUGIMOTO Shiitake from Takachiho Town, Miyazaki Prefecture, participated in the “Vegandale Food Drink Festival” held at Randall’s Island in New York City. RESOBOX has been assisting in their expansion in the US market by appealing to individual consumers as well as wholesalers. This one-day festival included the participation of over 200 vendors and 25 plus sponsors, and was bustling with more than 80,000 attendees.
SUGIMOTO Shiitake is on a mission to promote Japanese shiitake mushrooms worldwide, especially emphasizing the delicious flavor and health benefits of Dried Shiitake to the vegan and vegetarian communities in the US. Their participation in this festival was part of this endeavor, providing products to the vegan community in the US.
Endless Queue Gobbles Up 2000 Pieces of Sushi
The SUGIMOTO booth offered shiitake sushi, made from vinegared rice topped with shiitake that oozes umami flavor upon chewing. The line began to form as soon as the festival began at 11AM, and continued non-stop until closing at 8 PM. In all, 2000 pieces of shiitake sushi were sold, marking a great success. The attendees who tasted the sushi expressed their enjoyment, saying things like, “I’ve never tasted such delicious shiitake before!”, “How can we purchase these locally?”, “The acidity of the sushi rice pairs well with it.”
President Kazuhide Sugimoto, wearing the trademark shiitake cap, along with a few staff members of RESOBOX, worked on making sushi and serving customers in the tent. There were attendees requesting photos and inquiring about how to purchase the products, deepening interactions with the local community.
At RESOBOX, we assist in the introduction of fabulous Japanese products to consumers in the New York area, where our base is located, and across the US. In the project with SUGIMOTO Shiitake, we have connected with numerous restaurants including the Michelin 3-star “Le Bernardin,” the largest vegan supermarket “XMarket Uptown,” and the upscale French restaurant “Brindille Chicago.” SUGIMOTO Shiitake’s mushrooms are not only perfect for the vegan and vegetarian market but also have received numerous requests from high-end restaurants due to their high quality. Those in the food and beverage industry interested in the products are encouraged to inquire with us.
