OUR PROGRAMS

Food Access Programs

We believe everyone should have access to fresh, healthy, locally grown food. Through a variety of programs, we bring nourishing food directly to vulnerable households across Kohala.

Umeke ʻAi Pono

In partnership with the Hawaiʻi Food Hub Hui, Hawaiʻi Department of Education, and Hawaiʻi Good Food Alliance, Kohala Food Hub distributed free weekly food boxes through Umeke ʻAi Pono, a USDA-funded program that ran for 22 consecutive weeks from February 3 to July 3, 2025.

Each box, valued at $55, was filled with fresh, locally grown produce and proteins from farmers and ranchers across Hawaiʻi Island. In total, we served more than 225 households in North Kohala and Waimea—reaching over 900 residents each week—and distributed over 50,000 pounds of local food. The program supported revenue for more than 45 local food producers, contributed over $200,000 into the local food economy, and was made possible through the dedication of 86 volunteers and six community partners.

Kaukau 4 Keiki

The summer of 2025 marked our 4th consecutive year participating in Kaukau 4 Keiki, and we’re proud to be serving more households than ever before. This summer, we reached 285 households in North Kohala and Kailapa Hawaiian Homesteads, providing free, nutritious summer meals to local keiki.

In total, the program distributed 11,679 pounds of local food, contributed over $49,000 into the local food economy, and was made possible through the dedication of 21 volunteers. We delivered this program in partnership with Vibrant Hawaiʻi, the Sponsor Agency for the USDA Summer Food Service Program for the County of Hawaiʻi, The Kohala Resilience Hub & The Kailapa Community Association.

Farm to Family

Through support from the County of Hawaiʻi’s Contingency Relief Fund and a generous private foundation, Kohala Food Hub launched the Farm to Family program in December 2024 to provide free local produce to 50 households in North Kohala. The program helps bridge gaps in food access and ensures our community members can enjoy the health benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables grown right here in Hawaiʻi.

Veggie Rx

In partnership with Same Canoe, Veggie Rx provided free, farm-fresh produce to qualifying families in North Kohala through August 2024. Over the course of three years, the program served over 140 households, using food as a tool for better health.

  • “I just want to say that it has been really wonderful to be able to receive a variety of fresh produce from local farmers. I have a small vegetable garden, but not the variety of fruits and vegetables that I receive from the Veggie Rx project. There’s not a large choice of fresh fruits and vegetables that are locally grown at the local markets... The program has been a big plus to adding a healthier diet for me."

    MM, North Kohala

  • "The benefits of the Veggie RX free produce has improved the quality of my life. Most importantly to me is that since joining Veggie RX, (I am) significantly eating more fresh fruits and vegetables than I did in the past. I have had a decrease in my blood pressure. I am going to talk to my primary care physician next week about lowering the amount of blood pressure medicine that I take. I have also noticed that I have more energy, and my gastrointestinal health has improved...There is a history of diabetes in my family and I feel that the change that I have made in my diet because of Veggie RX helps me now, and will continue to help me in my future. I appreciate that I am learning how to eat a healthier diet and that it is, so very obviously, benefiting my health."

    SB, North Kohala

  • "Honestly, when I found out we made the list, I was so relieved. Like many other families, we live week by week—sometimes even day by day—just to be able to buy food, especially healthy food like vegetables. I've always found it frustrating that you can go to McDonald's and get a $2 cheeseburger, but can't afford fruits and vegetables that grow from our ʻāina. Not only did we receive fresh farm vegetables, but there was always a protein in the box each week, which helped so much. There have been many, many weeks when this food box saved my family. And if there was ever something we couldn’t use, we passed it on to bless another family. Thank you so much for everything you do. I hope to be part of many more programs like this in the future."

    KJ, Kohala

  • "I cannot thank you enough for this wonderful program. Accessing fresh, whole food at affordable prices is difficult in Kohala. Many of us don’t qualify for SNAP/EBT and have to be extremely careful with our hard-earned dollars. I’ve gone to the grocery store and found that one not-so-great-looking tomato costs almost $5—and ended up changing a recipe because I needed three or four! When I opened the box yesterday, I found a plethora of beautiful tomatoes, a pound of ground beef, and several baby bok choy."

    AC, North Kohala

  • "We have thoroughly enjoyed the weekly Umeke Ai Pono food box program. It was a big blessing to us as we have 6 growing children in our family. Our favorite part was having access to specialty farm fresh greens that we normally wouldn't eat such as beets, plantains, or Chinese cabbage. It has expanded our diet to include more fresh fruits and vegetables. Lions eye is now our toddler's favorite fruit and surprise in the box! A fun side note, our children have experimented with some of the produce and replanted or grown plants from seed, some that have successfully sprouted and now exist in their own garden. It is fun to see them approach fresh foods with such awe and wonder, traits that indeed will inform their eating habits and food choices in the future. Thanks to the assortment of farm fresh foods in our weekly Umeke box! We are grateful to be part of a community that gives back to its people. Food insecurity is very real and mahalo for bridging the gap."

    DL, Kohala

  • "I just wanted to share my deep appreciation for all that you folks have done. Even with the assistance of SNAP benefits, with the high cost of food, it’s been extremely difficult to purchase healthier items. We thankfully, but usually only have just enough to cover the basics for our monthly groceries, so sometimes we have a minimal amount of fruits & greens. But this wonderful program has provided the means for my ‘ohana to be eating a steady diet of fresh and local produce! We are EXTREMELY GRATEFUL! Plus, all of the volunteers have always been helpful and friendly! We cannot tell you how much this has been a blessing in our lives."

    PN, Kohala

Why It Matters

These programs are made possible through the support of government agencies, private funders, and generous community partners. Beyond nourishing families, they also sustain local farms and strengthen our food system from the ground up.

Want to learn more or support these programs? Donate today.