Giving us paws: Local food producers cater to canines

November 2021—‘Īlio (dogs) are beloved members of many of our families, and they too can support and drive change in our local food system. Our team has recently supported Lava Paws and Pawniolo Pets, two raw pet food companies who are helping our four-legged companions eat better while reducing food waste by turning organs and animal parts typically not desired by human consumers into nutritious meals for dogs. We have worked with these local producers to network them with other meat processors and sources of financing, including Kiva and the Hawai‘i Food Producers Fund as well as Slow Money Hawai‘i. Contact Eric Bowman, business development and services integration coordinator, to learn more about these companies and our microloan programs for rural and cooperative businesses. (Photo courtesy Lava Paws)