USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program

Schools in Hawai‘i can order any fresh fruit or vegetable for the FFVP. So why not multiply the benefit of the program by buying local? Contrary to popular belief, local fruits and vegetables are not always more expensive, and the benefits are numerous!

Buying Local: Why It Matters

• Produce that is harvested and eaten close to peak ripeness has better flavor and lots of nutrients, when handled properly.
• Connecting children to the source of their food can encourage healthier food choices that bolster learning and academic achievement.
• Buying local builds stronger local economies by keep more dollars circulating within communities.
• Supporting local farmers can enhance Hawai‘i’s food security by driving demand for local food and increases in local food production.

Know What’s In Season
Farmers throughout Hawai‘i grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables during Hawai‘i’s twelve-month growing season. Local fruits include pineapple, papaya, banana, starfruit, dragon fruit, oranges, mango, liliko‘i, watermelon, rambutan, avocado, and more! Local vegetables include a variety of lettuces and tomatoes, as well as taro, sweet potato, breadfruit, kale, watercress, broccoli, okra, bell peppers, cucumbers, among many others.

There’s no shortage of options, but seasonality matters. Certain fruits and vegetables only grow during certain times of the year. View the Hawai‘i Seasonality Chart to learn which fruits and vegetables are in season throughout the year.

Request Local
Let your vendors know that buying local matters to your school. Ask what’s in season and request produce from local farmers. For a list of farms that are interested in supplying produce for the FFVP, see The Kohala Center’s FFVP Hawai‘i Local Produce Buying Guide.

Hawai‘i Produce Farmers, your produce is in demand! Schools throughout the Hawaiian Islands want to buy your produce for the FFVP and other child nutrition programs. Farmers can sell directly to private schools and charter schools, but generally have to go through a produce distributor to sell to regular DOE public schools. Contact schools to find out which distributors they use, and then contact those distributors to inquire about selling your produce for the FFVP and other child nutrition programs.

For a list of produce distributors on each Hawaiian Island, see our FFVP Hawai‘i Local Produce Buying Guide. For a list of charter schools in Hawai‘i, see the State Public Charter School Commission’s School Directory.

We created the FFVP Hawai‘i Local Produce Buying Guide to provide schools and farmers with more information on buying and selling local produce for the FFVP. The Guide includes:

• For Schools: A Hawai‘i produce seasonality guide; tips on buying local; and a list of local farms on each island that are interesting in selling local produce for the FFVP and other child nutrition programs.
• For Farmers: A list of FFVP schools in Hawai‘i; estimates of demand by type of produce for FFVP schools on each island; contact information for produce vendors that supply FFVP schools in Hawai‘i; and information on the USDA Food Buying Guide for School Meal Programs to help farmers and distributors calculate volume requirements based on serving sizes.