Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Thursday, December 26, 2024 71° Today's Paper


Crave

Farm to You: Connecting consumers with Hawaii farmers, ranchers and fishers

Want to make a more direct connection with local farms and food producers? Here’s a resource guide:

GENERAL INFO

>> Food-A-Go-Go: An easily searchable list of farms and local food producers, with hours and services offered. foodagogo.org (click on “Farms”)

>> GoFarm Hawaii: A list of farms doing direct sales and subscription services; also covers fish, meat and poultry producers. gofarmhawaii.org/find-your-farmer; 956-3530

>> Hawaii Agricultural Foundation: The nonprofit’s Local Inside listing covers farms, ranchers and fishermen that deal directly with consumers. hawaii agfoundation.org/local-inside; 927-9749

FARM-FRESH PRODUCE

>> Farm to Car: To use the Hawaii Farm Bureau’s drive-thru service; place orders via an online marketplace. Order starting at 2 p.m. three days weekly — Wednesdays for pickup 9 a.m. to noon the following Wednesday at Blaisdell Center; Thursdays for pickup noon to 3 p.m., Windward Mall; and Saturdays for pickup 9 a.m. to noon, Blaisdell. The site sells out quickly. Minimum order is $25 (100% goes to farmer), with $3 service charge. Limited to 300 orders per event, but working to expand. hfbf.org/farm-to-car; 476-0539

>> Farm Link Hawaii: Sign up for an online account (although currently there is a waiting list), then shop twice weekly for produce from a network of farms. Minimum $30 order; pick up at various locations around Oahu. Home delivery fee is $15 ($50 minimum). farmlink hawaii.com; 201-5252

>> FarmLovers farmers markets: Arrange curbside pickup at Pearlridge, Kakaako and Kailua markets by ordering directly from farms. Find a list in an April 23 Facebook post. For the housebound, Help Is on the Way will deliver for free. Place order with vendor, then go to hihelpisontheway.org to book delivery.

SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES

>> KahumanaOrganic Farms and Cafe: Weekly and biweekly orders delivered to five locations from this Waianae farm. Produce also can still be purchased at the farm, noon to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Call 383-5224; visit kahumana.org/csa.

>> Kau Kau Box: Each week’s box ($135) includes prepared meals for four and fresh produce, fish, bread, an uncooked starch (for example, fresh pasta) and eggs, enough for a week of meals. A Military Meal Kit is designed for microwave reheating. Order online for pickup at the John A. Burns School of Medicine in Kakaako or home delivery ($15 fee). kaukauboxnow.com; 476-7295

>> Lokahi Kailua Market: The farmers market features two bags weekly — produce ($25 to $30) and an artisan bag ($35 to $40) of food and nonfood items. Contents are posted Wednesdays, with pickup on Sundays. Visit lokahikailua market.com.

>> MA‘O Organic Farms: Members commit to eight orders ($32 each), weekly or biweekly, picked up at various locations (there is a waitlist for pickup at Punahou School). Produce comes from MA‘O’s Waianae farm, which provides training and work opportunities for area youth. maoorganicfarms.org (click on CSA link); 696-5569

>> Oahu Fresh: Subscribe for weekly or biweekly delivery of a $20 farmers market bag of six to seven items that vary by week, or a vegetarian meal bag. Specialty items such as coffee, eggs and fresh bread may be added. Delivery is $3 to $7, depending on neighborhood. oahufresh.com; 476-7550

MEAT AND FISH

>> Forage Hawaii: Order wild venison and boar, locally raised beef, lamb and chicken, then pick up at farmers markets in Kakaako (weekly) or Kailua (biweekly). Check the website for cuts available; order via email. forage hawaii.com; info@foragehawaii.com

>> Fresh Island Fish: Ahi chunks, ahi cubes, salmon and more at lower-than-retail prices. Order online twice weekly and pick up at Pier 38. freshislandfish.com; 831-4911

>> Local I‘a: Fish direct from Oahu small-boat fishers sold via weekly subscription ($25 or $45) or at farmers markets and other sites. An All in One box ($75) includes 2 pounds of fish, a dozen eggs and local produce. Grassfed beef, venison, shrimp and more can be added. Delivery available. localiahawaii.com; 492-8331

>> J. Ludovico Farm: Get on a waitlist for pasture-raised chickens ($5 a pound), sold at the Kaneohe farm, 47-510 Mapele Road, on Thursdays. Chickens also sold via farmlinkhawaii.com and at Kokua and Nijiya markets. jludovicofarm.com; 628-0603.

>> Makana Provisions Meat Co.: Options include a 10-pound Ohana box ($61) with ground beef, stew meat and thin-sliced sirloin. Other boxes, individual beef cuts, venison and value-added items such as jerkeys also sold. Bread, fish, eggs, brownies and other items coming soon. Order by 2 p.m. Mondays for Friday delivery; $5 delivery fee islewide. Or pick up at 91-319 Olai St. in Kapolei. hawaiigrassfedbeef.com; 838-9315

>> Pono Pork: Pature-raised Waianae pork and Big Island lamb sold in subscription boxes priced at $75, $125 and $200, plus $10 delivery fee. Individual cuts also available. Orders taken through Wednesdays. Delivery anywhere on Oahu is on Saturdays. ponopork.com; 457-0997

MEAL DELIVERY SERVICES

For those who don’t cook or can’t go out for takeout, these services provide meals for several days at a time; most just require reheating:

>> Aina Meals: Geared to the health conscious, with paleo, gluten-free and vegetarian options, starting at $149.99 for 10 meals. First-timers get $15 discount. Delivery on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for $5 fee, or pick up at Waialua Fresh or Aina Grill in Waipahu. ainameals.com; 600-7779

>> Good Clean Food Hawaii: Offers selections for paleo, plant-based, keto and “clean and lean” diets at prices starting at $9.99 per breakfast; $13.99 per lunch or dinner. Family and bulk options available. Use gcfohana code for $1 per meal discount. Home delivery ($3.99 fee) to most of Oahu, or pick up at the production site in Kailua. gcfhawaii.com; 339-1314

>> JoJo’s Kitchen: Sandwiches, wraps, bowls and stews ($11 or $12) or meals ($15 or $16). Items may be frozen. Delivery within 15 miles of downtown is free with a $25 minimum order, or pick up at the restaurant on Merchant Street. jojoskitchen.net; 585-8212

>> Fresh Box: With this service, you do the cooking yourself with ingredients and instructions provided. There’s also a virtual market that includes various food prep items (you can even buy a 5-gallon bucket of hand sanitizer for $150). Order meals online at by 10 p.m. Friday for delivery the next Tuesday. Prices start at $78 for the makings of three meals. hifreshbox.com

>> The Happy Bento: Therapeutic meals for special dietary needs, as well as local favorites like kalbi and teriyaki chicken. Most single meals cost $15, with options for two- and four servings. Order by 9 p.m. for free delivery the next afternoon to most neighborhoods. Or pick up at Pacific Gateway Center in Kalihi and get a 10% discount. thehappybento.com; 847-2523

>> Malama Meals: Menus change weekly; this week includes turkey bulgogi and chimichurri steak; prices start at $11 per meal. Nutrition info provided. A pre-fix deal provides 10 plates for $80. Pickup at 517 N. Vineyard Street 3-4 p.m. on Tuesdays after Saturday 9 p.m. order deadline at malamamealsoahu.com or delivery for $5 (free for orders of $100 or more). Pay online with credit card, Pay Pal or venmo.

>> Fit4You: Chef Amelia Caravalho and husband Ben, a bodybuilding champ, oversee the healthy gourmet menu. Amelia is from Sonora, Mexico, and usually offers one south-of-the-border dish (this week it’s honey chipotle chicken ($11), as well as bulk items like chicken, steak and sweet potato. Order at fit4youhi.com for deliveries Tuesdays and Saturdays, or pick up at 237 Kalihi St. Call 479-1897

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines. Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.