First Lady of Japan Meets Hemp Foods Australia CEO

PR65060

BANGALOW, Australia, July 9, 2016 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

   Hemp Foods Australia CEO Paul Benhaim met with First Lady of Japan Akie Abe

to discuss the future of the hemp industry in Japan. The First Lady showed

strong interest in Hemp Foods Australia's vision during the meeting, which took

place at the Kyoto Hemp Forum on July 2.

   Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160708/387679

   "I was happy to have a productive discussion with Akie Abe at the Kyoto Hemp

Forum this past weekend," Benhaim stated. "Hemp has strong roots in Japanese

culture, and the First Lady is excited about continuing the tradition of hemp

in her great country."

   The inaugural Kyoto Hemp Forum focused on the environmental benefits of

using hemp for industrial purposes, in place of more toxic products that

pollute and damage the atmosphere. The conference included a presentation about

the history of hemp in Japan and a review of hemp industries across the globe.  

Kyoto Mayor Daisaku Kadokawa and Chief Priest of Kamigamo Shrine Yasuhiro

Tanaka also participated in a roundtable discussion of Japan's hemp industry

with the First Lady. Paul Benhaim was joined by author Chris Conrad and a group

of progressive activists for a segment titled Hemp: Lifeline to the Future.

   Hemp Foods Australia was founded by Benhaim in 2000 and is now the largest

hemp food wholesaler, retailer, manufacturer and exporter in the Southern

Hemisphere. The company has gained a strong reputation for its organic,

nutritional products made from high-quality hemp seeds, hemp oils and hemp

protein powder. In late 2015 it was awarded a government grant of nearly

$600,000 that has been put toward innovative hemp food product development and

increasing its factory size.

   Exports of hemp seeds manufactured in Australia continue to grow. Hemp Foods

Australia now exports to South Korea and distributes in Japan through its

sister company Hemp Foods Japan. Its products were nominated for the 2016

Japanese Vogue Beauty Awards.

   "It was an honor to meet with the First Lady at the Kyoto Hemp Forum,"

Benhaim said. "More importantly, it is a major breakthrough to have an

individual of high influence backing our cause in Japan, and Hemp Foods

Australia hopes the First Lady will engage leaders of Japanese industry in

these critical conversations as we look to make a more sustainable planet

through the use of hemp."

   For more information about Hemp Foods Australia, please visit:

http://www.hempfoods.com.au/.

   This news release was issued on behalf of Newswise(TM). For more

information, visit: http://www.newswise.com.

   CONTACT: paul@hempfoods.com.au  

   SOURCE:  Hemp Foods Australia