Farmers adjust from growing for eateries to public
With recent restaurant and business closures and social distancing orders, harvesting and distributing fresh produce has become more challenging for farmers and for people looking to purchase locally grown food. The Hawaii Farmers Union United, local farmers and stores are working to maintain that pipeline from the fields to the dinner table. To address the…
Read MoreFarmers Union Responds to COVID-19
For Immediate Release The Hawaii Farmers Union United (HFUU) has launched a task force to quickly organize local food production; aggregate existing food hubs; and collaborate with certified commercial kitchens, door-to-door distributors and other stakeholders; to immediately address the economic impact of food sustainability from the global crisis. The task force under formation is starting…
Read MoreBackyard Bounties Rescued via Food Hubs Making Significant Contribution to Island Food Security
A new bill is being evaluated by the House (HB1892) and Senate (SB2722) in Hawaii that would allocate funding for food hubs on all islands.
Read MoreCoffee labeling bill gutted, deferred
Republished with permission by West Hawaii Today… By Max Dible West Hawaii Today mdible@westhawaiitoday.com | Wednesday, April 3, 2019, 12:05 a.m. KAILUA-KONA — A measure originally intended to change labeling requirements for coffee blends died quietly with a few passing words Tuesday morning. “There was tons and tons of opposition testimony and some concerns from…
Read MoreHFUU-HFUF HOSTS 8TH ANNUAL CONVENTION
Over 350 people attended Hawai’i Farmers Union United’s 8th Annual Convention held October 26, 27 and 28 at Oko’a Farms in Kula, (Upcountry) Maui. This year’s theme was “Growing Farm Resiliency.” Maui Mayor, Alan Arakawa, addressed the Convention on the morning of the 27th and Governor David Ige in the afternoon. Senator Mike Gabbard, Chair…
Read MoreHFUU Supported Legislative Action: HB 2105
The House Energy & Environmental Protection committee has scheduled a hearing for Friday, February 16 at 2 p.m. on the following bill: HB2105 HD1 – Relating to Agriculture Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture for the establishment and administration of the Agriculture Grant Program to support local food production in the State. HB 2105, HD1…
Read MoreTestimony in Support of HB2102 (Nutrient Cycling) before House Ag Committee
TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF HB2102 (NUTRIENT CYCLING) BEFORE THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE Hearing Date: February 14, 2018, 9:00AM Aloha Chairman Creagan, Vice Chair DeCoite and Members of the House Committee on Agriculture. The Hawaii Farmers Union United (“HFUU”) appreciates the opportunity to testify in support of HB2102 to fund a pilot project to recycle local…
Read MoreHFUU Supported Legislative Action: HB 2301
The House Energy & Environmental Protection committee has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday, February 13 at 8:30 a.m. on the following bill: RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION. Restructures the Hawaii Invasive Species Council as the Hawaii Invasive Species Authority, administratively attached to the Department of Agriculture, to coordinate implementation of the Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity…
Read More2017 Census of Agriculture gets underway
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service has started mailing the 2017 Census of Agriculture to our nation’s producers. Mailing in phases, all census questionnaires should be received by late December. The deadline to respond is February 5, 2018. Producers can respond online at www.agcensus.usda.gov (take advantage of new time-saving features and the convenience of being accessible…
Read MoreHawai‘i’s Food System: Food for All
Executive Summary: This report examines the food system of Hawai’i with special attention to low-income access to food. To do so, we examine the conditions under which low-income people currently obtain food. Then we examine the history of agriculture. Next we profile several promising food initiatives. Finally, we make recommendations for strengthening community-based food systems…
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