Aina Pono: Hawaii Farm to School Initiative
Non Profit
State of Hawaii Lt. Governor’s Office, the Hawaii Departments of Agriculture and Education, and The Kohala Center
$811,400
More Local Food
Why We Invested
To create opportunities for local farmers by expanding state purchasing of fresh, local food for school menus
The Aina Pono: Hawaii Farm to School program is opening up supply opportunities for local farmers while exposing students and staff members to local foods. It is also helping to increase state purchasing of local food for school menus.
Our Partner
Spearheaded by then-Lt. Governor Shan Tsutsui, the Aina Pono: Hawaii State Farm to School Initiative launched at the Kohala School Complex on Hawaii Island in the second half of the 2016-2017 school year. The pilot program incorporated locally sourced foods in meals served at Kohala Elementary, Intermediate and High Schools. In 2018, the program expanded to Mililani High School on Oahu (and beyond since then). The school is the Hawaii Department of Education’s second largest food production site with approximately 2,500 school lunches produced daily.
How We Partnered
Funding support, including grants provided through the Ulupono Fund at the Hawaii Community Foundation
“We can’t think of a better use of island-fresh produce than to nutritionally fortify school meals. Expansion of farm-to-school programs like this will help future-proof student access to meals and strengthen the local food production market.”