Whether you have a few loaded trees in your yard or a full fledged farm, we can help you get your produce to market and make some money. We are currently accepting growers in the area around Maku'u market into this newly formed co-op. Click here to see our  new website.
The idea is simple - you harvest your trees and we pick up that harvest the evening before market. You set your price, we keep 25% of sales, remaining costs and profits are split between members according to what sells each day. You no longer have to feel bad about fruit rotting on the ground - we'll make it easy to get more local produce to local markets, to build local economy and increase our island's food security. We can also talk about other homemade products like jams, pesto, and other treats. We are looking for pesticide free growers only and look forward to hearing from you! Mary & Sean Jennings
982-8925

Among the winners of the different categories in the recently held 1^st Annual Sam Choy Keauhou Poke Contest held Sunday, March 18^th at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort was the entry by the ’Aina Life Culinary Arts Class of the Kua O Ka Lā Public Charter School at Pū'āla'a in Lower Puna. Mariposa Blanco, the school’s Culinary Teacher, and Susie Osborne, School Principal and Administrator, entered the class’s ‘Ulu–‘Ahi Spicy Poke, and won First Place in the Non-Professional Spicy Category.

The first Puna ‘Ulu Festival took place Saturday, March 3, 2012 at Ho‘oulu Lāhui, the site of Kua O Ka Lā Public Charter School at Pū‘āla‘a, adjacent to the ‘Āhalanui County Park warm ponds in Puna. Despite island-wide rain, the weather at Pū‘āla‘a was clear, and the event was attended by about 1,200 people.

Holuakoa Gardens & Cafe in Holualoa is known for its use of local produce, supplied mainly by farmers in Kona. We are looking for steady suppliers of high quality citrus including lemons, limes, tangerines, oranges, and others. Please contact Barb at 322-5072 for more information.

Many people now have some sense of the importance of growing food at home. Here are a few of the benefits of homegrown food.

Taste and nutrition

Homegrown is the freshest and therefore tastiest and most nutritious you can get. There is nothing like the flavor and vitality of freshly picked fruits and vegetables. Research has shown that produce that has been on the store shelf for a few days has significantly lower nutritional value as compared with freshly harvested produce.

Food self-reliance

Homegrown gives you control over your food. Currently about 85% of our island’s food is imported by ship or airplane from distant locations, and there is just a few days worth of food in stores at any given time. Many residents are concerned about economic, ecological, or health issues that might slow down or cut off our food imports. Many of our Hawai‘i Island Community Development Plans prioritize growing more of our food locally, supporting farms, and protecting agricultural lands. An event that restricted food imports might also curtail imports of fuel, fertilizer, and chemicals that are used commercially to produce and distribute food on the island.

Aloha! This Saturday (March 3) please join us at the Puna ‘Ulu Festival--Celebrating Breadfruit. Without a landscape that was conducive to abundant taro production, Hawaiians in Puna traditionally relied heavily upon the ‘ulu as a primary staple food source. Due to the young lava lands, Puna was uniquely known for its ‘ulu trees that were planted in deep holes so that the leaves and fruits grew at ground level. The festival will be held at Kua O Ka La Public Charter School (PCS) located at Pu‘ala‘a in Puna, a 600-acre ancient Hawaiian village site. This is a unique opportunity to explore breadfruit within the cultural context of Puna at a very special site. Get directions and download the festival program at breadfruit.info. We look forward to seeing you. Continue Reading Print Email More Articles ... Local Food System Update My Eat Local Hawai'i Plate Abundant Life Natural Foods Live-Culture Foods workshop photos Newsletter 36 - February 2012 The Benefits of Tropical Homegardens 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 BREADFRUIT TALKING STORY RESOURCES Farmers Markets/CSA's Websites Books & Magazines Featured Organizations Videos & DVDs ABOUT Vision, Mission and Values Supporting Organizations Board and Advisors Sponsors History Project Team FAQ Farmer's Markets Legal & Press Info Privacy Policy Conditions of Use Sponsors Press Info Contact Contact Us Volunteer HOME