ONE OF THE MOST REMOTE ISLANDS IN THE WORLD, KAUAI IMPORTS OVER 85 OF ITS FOOD DESPITE YEAR-ROUND PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES, HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST COSTS OF LIVING IN THE U.S., AND HAS THE LOWEST PER-FARM REVENUE AVERAGE IN HAWAII. TO MAKE PROGRESS ON THESE ISSUES, LONGSTANDING COMMUNITY-BASED NONPROFIT, MLAMA KAUAI (MK), WILL LAUNCH THEIR NEW MOLOAA INA CENTER FOOD HUB. THE FACILITY IS OPENING BY FALL 2023, AND THIS PROJECT WILL HELP TO STAFF THE FACILITY S LAUNCH, FOOD SAFETY COMPLIANCE, PROGRAM EXPANSIONS, AND FARM VALUE-PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. MK HAS BEEN THE LEADING FOOD HUB ON KAUAI SINCE 2020 AND HAS BEEN WORKING ON INCREASING FOOD PRODUCTION AND ACCESS FOR THE ISLAND SINCE 2006. THE PROJECT WILL FUND KEY STAFF POSITIONS CRITICAL TO EXPANDING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO UTILIZE THE NEW FACILITY FULLY. IT IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE AVERAGE YOY PRODUCER SALES BY 10 , FOR 175 LOCAL FARMERS AND FOOD PRODUCERS - 60 OF WHICH WILL BE SMALL, BIPOC-OWNED BUSINESSES. A MINIMUM OF 25 MOLOAA IRRIGATION COOPERATIVE MEMBERS WILL UTILIZE THE FACILITY FOR VALUE-ADDED PRODUCT PRODUCTION, STORAGE, AND BUSINESS ASSISTANCE. OUTCOMES OF THIS WORK WILL BOLSTER KAUAIS LOCAL AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY, ALLOW MK TO MEET THE SCALE NEEDED BY LARGE BUYERS, AND FILL GAPS IN THE CURRENT FOOD SYSTEM. THESE ACTIVITIES WILL ASSIST LOCAL FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND VALUE-ADDED PRODUCERS, IN GROWING THEIR BUSINESSES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM, AND SUBSEQUENTLY BUILD FOOD SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCY FOR THE ISOLATED AND VULNERABLE ISLAND OF KAUAI.
Posted 10/30/23, 12:00 AM