下関豊田町の「企業組合のぞみ会」は道の駅や販売協力店で、同町庭田地区産のモチ米、ヨモギ、小豆などで作るあんころモチ、ポン菓子を砂糖や生姜で固めたげんこつ、他にもこんにゃく完熟苺ジャム、かきもち、ゆず味噌などを販売している。「のぞみ会」設立のきっかけとなったのは、１９８３年に地区内の１０年後の様子をマップで予想したこと。高齢化、過疎化は避けられないが「このまま黙ってそれを待つより、私たちが元気なうちに、郷土の誇りとなるものを未来に残したかったんです」と代表の下村さんは当時を振り返る。

The ‘Nozomi-kai’ Business Cooperative in Toyoda-chō, Shimonoseki, sells a range of products at roadside stations and partner shops, including ankoro-mochi made from glutinous rice, mugwort and adzuki beans grown in the Niwata district of the town—and genkotsu, a type of puffed rice confection hardened with sugar and ginger. Other items on offer include konjac, fully ripened strawberry jam, kakimochi and yuzu-miso. The impetus for establishing the ‘Nozomi-kai’ came from a map drawn up in 1983 that projected what the district would look like ten years later. Although an ageing population and depopulation were inevitable, Mrs. Shimomura, the representative, reflects on that time, saying, ‘Rather than simply sitting back and waiting for it to happen, we wanted to leave something behind for the future—something we could be proud of as locals—whilst we were still full of vigour.’