One Million Meals Shared: How our Food for Happiness Program is Spreading Joy Around the World

A warm meal can mean so much more than nourishment. It can be comfort, stability, or even a spark of joy. This October, that simple truth came to life in a remarkable way: byFood reached a milestone of over one million school meals donated to children around the world through its Food for Happiness program.

byFood isn’t just Japan’s leading platform for booking food experiences — it’s a movement shaped by the belief that food can open hearts, create connection, and inspire change. Since day one, byFood has worked to make social impact a natural, joyful part of travel. For every food experience reserved, restaurant booked, or product purchased through the platform, ten school meals are donated via trusted partner organizations — bringing warmth, nourishment, and a little bit of joy to children who need it most.

Around the world, millions of children face uncertainty about their next meal— a challenge that affects not only their health but also their ability to learn, grow, and dream. byFood’s mission, “Spreading happiness through food,” was created to help change that story.

Through Food for Happiness, travelers can make a meaningful difference simply by enjoying a sushi-making class, a ramen tour, or a fine dining experience in Japan. Each reservation helps ensure that a child somewhere in the world receives a warm, nourishing meal and the chance to imagine a brighter, more hopeful future

The impact of one million meals is felt not just in numbers but in the hope and happiness shared across communities. What began as a simple, straightforward idea — turning culinary experiences into meaningful support — has now grown into a global community bound by compassion, curiosity, and the joy of sharing a meal together.

“Enjoying food can also mean supporting someone’s future. We’ve continued to believe in that idea since the beginning. Reaching one million meals is a milestone made possible by our users, our partner companies, and those working closely with children in the field. We’ll continue striving to make society a little better, one meal at a time.”

“From the start, our goal has been to contribute to society through business. Inspired by models like Tom’s Shoes, we built Food for Happiness to make every transaction meaningful. Reaching one million meals is not the finish line — it’s the beginning of the next chapter. We’ll keep working to deliver even more nutritious meals and support the future of children around the world.”

This milestone marks a new beginning for byFood. The company will continue expanding its efforts to connect food experiences with social good, contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger (SDG 2).

Our next goal? Two million donations, and to help make responsible, joy-filled travel a global standard, where every delicious experience creates connection, compassion, and hope.

Because at byFood, every meal matters. Every moment matters. And every bite has the power to make the world a little brighter.