Thanksgiving Event Boosts Image of US Food Culture: 

On November 7, the Japan Food Information Center GBI (www.myfood.jp) hosted a Thanksgiving cooking class.  After a brief explanation of the holiday including the Native American contribution, spokesperson Akahori-sensei (pictured here with students) demonstrated cooking techniques for a wide variety of Cooperator products including: cranberries, turkey, wild rice, rice, raddichio, corn, pecan, wine and Native American tea.  The event was covered by gourmet channel Foodies-tv, the leading tv broadcaster dedicated to food and beverage information.  The event also featured a tie-up with high end supermarket Meidi-ya, who offered special Thanksgiving meal sets including turkey, wild rice, and wine.