Ho‘ōla Farms has partnered with two local elementary schools to enhance food security by distributing food to families in limited-access areas on the east side of Hawaiʻi.
Ho‘ōla Farms is participating in a food assistance program, “ʻUmeke ʻAi Pono,” to bring fresh produce and proteins from small to medium-sized local farmers, ranchers, and food businesses to underserved communities.
This statewide effort is coordinated with members of the Hawai‘i Food Hub Hui, a network of 14 regional food hubs, including Ho‘ōla Farms.
The initiative runs until July 5, 2025, and is designed to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s local food systems by sourcing fresh produce and proteins from small to medium-sized local farmers, ranchers, and food businesses, particularly those who are socially disadvantaged.
The program also aims to enhance food security and provide consistent access to nutritious, locally grown food for underserved communities across the state.
As a member of the Hawaiʻi Food Hub Hui, Ho‘ōla Farms is supporting the distribution of 58,565 food boxes—each worth about $50 and filled with 9 to 11 pounds of vegetables, cultural starches, fruits, and protein from local farmers.
The program provides fresh, locally grown food to families in 45 communities across Hawaiʻi.
Management and distribution are done from the food hub in Hilo, which allows Hoʻōla Farms to source directly from its network of farmers and producers, creating reliable markets for local growers and expanding access to healthy, Hawaiʻi-grown food in the community.
Ho‘ōla Farms is responsible for food distribution in East Hawaiʻi, specifically serving the communities of Volcano, Mountain View, Pāhoa, and Keaʻau. Kua O Ka Lā Public Charter School and Mountain View Elementary School have partnered with Ho‘ōla Farms to effectively reach families in these limited-access areas.
These schools were selected not only for their central locations but also for their strong community ties, cultural values, and supportive learning environments. By distributing food directly through schools, Ho‘ōla Farms can meet families where they are, provide nutritious, locally grown food to children and their families, and strengthen the connection between local agriculture and education.
Each food box provides a balanced mix of fresh produce and protein, including 4 to 5 pounds of fresh vegetables and herbs, such as bok choy, cucumber, carrots, and sweet potatoes; 3 to 4 pounds of seasonal fruits, such as papaya, avocados, bananas, and citrus; and 1 to 2 pounds of protein, such as locally sourced eggs, meat, or tofu.
Ho‘ōla Farms is proud to be part of a larger effort to distribute 325 weekly food boxes, which are distributed every other week between Kua O Ka Lā Public Charter School and Mountain View Elementary School. Overall, Ho‘ōla Farms has distributed 5,204 boxes of food, serving 450 families, or 1,825 individuals.
Approximately 52,040 pounds of fresh, local food helped support 19 small farmers and producers.
To learn more about how to work with Schools or organizations interested in future local goof and feeding programs can reach out to Hoʻōla Farms at [email protected], or visit the website to learn more about working together to nourish communities, supporting local farmers, and shaping the future of food in Hawai‘i.
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