Aloha!

A new year is upon us. When the Hawai’i Homegrown Food Network began nearly four years ago the local/sustainable food movement was in its infancy. Now that movement has entered mainstream consciousness. But it is far from mature, far from producing public policies that actually help the small, sustainable food producer. Yet as a vibrant grassroots movement, perhaps that is its strength.

It’s important to remind ourselves that to be sustainable our agriculture must be local: our energy, seeds, soil amendments and other inputs must all be local. However, locally grown does not mean it is necessarily sustainable. Some would like to market and promote “local” agriculture to further  large-scale non-sustainable agriculture in Hawai'i. Local agriculture that depends upon on imported fossil fuels, seed, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and so on is not sustainable.

Locally sourced is the pathway to sustainability.

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

Craig Elevitch and Pedro Tama
for the Hawai'i Homegrown Food Network
http://hawaiihomegrown.net
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Events

Sunday, December 30, 2012, 02:00pm - 05:00pm, Hilo
Let's Grow Hilo Edible Landscaping Beautification Day

Thursday, January 03, 2013, 09:00am, North Kona
West Hawai'i Master Gardener Monthly Meeting

Tuesday, January 15, to Thursday, Jan17, 2013, O’ahu & Kaua’i
Dr. Vandana Shiva Visits Hawai'i

Wednesday, January 16, 2013, 07:00pm - 09:00pm, North Kona
Special Hawai'i Tropical Fruit Growers Meeting: Exotic Fruits

Saturday, January 19, 2013, 08:30am - 01:00pm, North Kohala
All About 'Uala (sweet potato)

Saturday, January 19 -- Sunday, March 31, 2013, O'ahu
Oahu Permaculture Design Certificate Course 2013

Monday, January 21, 2013, 07:00pm - 09:00pm, North Kona
Hawai'i Tropical Fruit Growers Meeting

Friday, January 25, 2013, 06:00pm - 09:30pm, South Kohala
BEE the Change: What is Happening to Our Honeybees?

Saturday, January 26, 2013, 09:00am - 11:00am, North Kohala
Loving Local Foods—Making Rockin’ Rolls

Saturday, January 26, 2013, 01:00pm - 04:00pm, North Kohala
Home Gardening— Making Great Compost

Sunday, January 27, 2013, 02:00pm - 05:00pm, Hilo
Let's Grow Hilo Edible Landscaping Beautification Day

Saturday, February 02, 2013, 07:00am - 12:00pm, South Kohala
21st Birthday Waimea Homestead Farmers Market

Saturday, February 09, to Sunday, February 24, 2013, Puna
Permaculture Design Course: Sustainability and Food Security

Sunday, February 10, 2013, 12:00pm - 06:00pm, Hilo
Hawai'i Reggae and Agricultural Fair

Saturday, March 02, 2013, Puna
Puna 2013 'Ulu Festival

Saturday, March 23, 2013, 05:30pm - 10:00pm, South Kohala
Big Island Chocolate Festival

View events calendar

Reports

Written by Sonia R. Martinez | 28 December 2012

Locally grown vegetables at farmers market. For nearly three years I have had the 'job' of visiting farmers markets and individual farmers for Hawai'i Homegrown Food Network, including some who participate in CSA farming (Community Supported Agriculture by membership or prescription), and visiting stores that sell homegrown foods and products around our island. I call it a job because it is a commitment, but it is also a privilege and the best and most fun job I've ever had.

We have about 30 farmers markets scattered all around the island. Some are large and some are very small, but when you consider that each market hosts at minimum 3-5 farmers, and usually many more, plus the scores who do not participate in farmers market sales, you can begin to appreciate how many dedicated people there are who grow food on this island.

Read more...

28 December 2012

Nancy Ginter-Miller
Marketing and business consultant, Produce to Product, Inc. and former manager Keauhou Farmers Market

Nancy Ginter-Miller at Keauhou Farmers Market. The Kona County Farm Bureau created the Keauhou Farmers Market in 2006 to provide a venue for farmers to be able to sell their produce direct to consumers. All vendors are required to be farmers selling primarily their own products, although they may also resell goods from other local farmers, but not from imported sources or wholesalers. Vendors are also encouraged to sell their own value-added products such as jams and jellies, flavored macadamia nuts, 100% Kona coffee, chocolate, etc., as long as the main ingredients are grown and produced locally.

Read more...

Written by Ken Love and Craig Elevitch | 28 December 2012

Surinam cherry, a promising specialty crop for Hawaii.Surinam cherry is a juicy, sweet-tart fruit generally considered “kid’s food” for picking and eating out-of-hand. In Hawai‘i tasting trials of unusual fruits several years ago, chefs were attracted to the strong, resinous flavors Surinam cherry and began developing unusual dishes highlighting it. By developing a market among chefs over a few years, Surinam cherry has increased in price from $1.25/lb to $6.50/lb.

Read more...

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Farmers' Markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

Web Resources

This month's web site listings

• Food Hub Kohala
• Toward a New Agriculture
• The People's Kitchen
• Ka Welina: Ho'oulu Lahui
• Coconuts for Kohala
• Slow Food Almanac: Foods that Change the World
• GreenWheel Food Hub

Supporting Organizations

Sponsors

Hawai'i People's Fund and the Hawai'i Community Foundation

Founding sponsors

Hawai'i County Resource Center, a program of the County of Hawai'i Department of Research and Development. Hawaii Agricultural Development Program in partnership with the Big Island RC&D Council.

Agroforestry Net

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This newsletter is published by:

Hawai'i Homegrown Food Network
PO Box 5
Holualoa, Hawaii  96725  USA
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Web: http://hawaiihomegrown.net