Kikkoman Grand Opening Draws Crowd to Jefferson

JEFFERSON, Wis – Kikkoman Foods, Inc. pulled out all the stops for the grand opening weekend for their new plant in Jefferson September 18-19th. Executive Director Kerry Clark and the JASWI Board had the honor of attending the Grand Opening Ceremony and Gala Dinner which brought the Ambassador of Japan to the United States, Shigeo Yamada, to Wisconsin where he also attended the JASWI Library of Japan donation reception at Edgerton Public Library.

JASWI hosted a booth at the Kikkoman Open House on September 19th and saw more than 1,200 visitors who came from around southern Wisconsin to experience Kikkoman’s warm hospitality in the community. Guests could sample foods from a sprawling buffet featuring Kikkoman sauces, try unique Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream flavors celebrating soy sauce, pull an omikuji fortune with our Japan Outreach Coordinators, watch live drawing by local manga artist Suke-maru, and most memorably tour the new facility. A long line formed to see how the signature Kikkoman soy sauce is made and the tour did not disappoint with Kikkoman staff expertly explaining each step from the preparing the raw materials through fermentation, pressing, and bottling.

We are so grateful for the ongoing support that Kikkoman Foods, Inc. provides to JASWI and welcome this new chapter of their long-term partnership in Wisconsin. Read more in JASWI Board member Tom Still’s article.