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Revitalizing Breadfruit

Revitalizing Breadfruit

"The Ho'oulu ka 'Ulu Project.“

Ho'oulu ka 'Ulu is a project to revitalize 'ulu (breadfruit) as an attractive, delicious, nutritious, abundant, affordable, and culturally appropriate food which addresses Hawai'i's food security issues. It is well known that Hawai'i imports about 90% of its food, making it one of the most food insecure states in the nation. Additionally, since the economic downturn of 2008, many families lack access to affordable and nutritious food. We believe that breadfruit is a key to solving Hawaii's food security problems.

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Building Local Ag Markets: Island Naturals

IMG 0471CElevitchClear signage to promote local produce at Island Naturals

Russell Ruderman
Owner, Island Naturals

Develop strong marketing skills: become a spokesperson for your products

Russell Ruderman is committed to purchasing and marketing local food from Hawai‘i’s farmers. The focus on local food blossomed over the last six years, according to Ruderman, when a steady stream of farmers and food manufacturers began approaching the store and asking him to carry their products. Despite the increase in local food production, Ruderman is surprised at the number of gaps remaining in Hawai‘i’s local food production.

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Lychee—Specialty Crop Profile

Fresh lychee at Kona farmers market.Fresh lychee at Kona farmers market.The principal product derived from lychee is fresh fruit. In production areas where the quantity of fruit harvested exceeds demand, a range of processed products is produced that includes: whole in-shell and peeled dried fruit, processed and canned fruit, purees, and drinks.

World commercial lychee production is estimated to exceed 1.8 million metric tonnes (MT) with the bulk of world production occurring in China (1.0–1.3 million MT). Exporting countries include China, Taiwan, Thailand, South Africa, Mexico, Mauritius, and Australia. Export of lychee into the Pacific islands is minimal with Tahiti importing small amounts from Australia. New Zealand currently imports small volumes from Thailand and Australia. In Hawai‘i, 2008 production was 105 MT which was sold at an average price of $6.05/kg paid to the farmer (NASS 2009).

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Coastview Aquaponics

Coast View 'ohana Chris, Alexis, Braden, and KiliCoast View 'ohana Chris, Alexis, Braden, and KiliCoastview Aquaponics is a backyard farming operation on a half-acre lot started by Chris and Alexis Smith as a hobby three years ago. It was a way for the family to grow additional food to supplement their grocery purchases with fresh, organic food.

They were soon growing more than they could eat and began giving some away to friends and neighbors. "After a while people started offering us payment to help offset the expenses of growing the food" says Chris, "and this money was used to expand the system. Before we realized it, the hobby grew into a business as a result of demand from our neighbors."

The small aquaponic farm is at 1,500 foot elevation just off Mamalahoa Highway 190 on the slopes of Hualalai, just above Kailua-Kona, and is run with totally organic practices, where nothing gets wasted. Even the bags used to package the produce for distribution are biodegradable.

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Breadfruit Harvest for Hunger

XR0Y9446Please consider donating your excess breadfruit to the project.The Ho'oulu ka 'Ulu project, led by Hawai'i Homegrown Food Network (HHFN) and the Breadfruit Institute (BFI) of the National Tropical Botanical Garden is pleased to announce the launch of Breadfruit Harvest for Hunger pilot project. This fall, as soon as the breadfruit is mature, the Breadfruit Harvest for Hunger pilot will begin harvesting breadfruit that is not being used and distributing it through social service agencies to Hawai'i Island families who are food insecure.

According to a HHFN survey, people who grow breadfruit reported that 46% is wasted. At the same time, since the economic downturn of 2008, many families are food insecure—lacking access to affordable and nutritious food. Breadfruit is a local, abundant and nutritious food that can be used to alleviate hunger in Hawai'i.

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Compost, mulch, and other sources of fertility

soil comparison-CElevitchHealthy, mulched soil is dark, has good structure, and holds moisture (left), whereas bare soil has poor structure and loses moisture faster.Decomposing organic materials are the primary source of fertility in tropical organic gardens. The richest source of organic materials is plant matter such as tree and garden trimmings, grass clippings, weeds, and kitchen scraps. These can be used directly in the garden as mulch or indirectly after composting. Mulch is a layer of decomposing organic matter on the soil surface. Mulching improves nutrient and water retention in the soil, encourages favorable soil microbial activity and worms, and suppresses weed growth. When properly done, mulching can significantly improve the well being of plants and reduce maintenance as compared to bare soil culture.

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Waimea Mid-Week Farmers Market

MidWeekMarketPukalaniStables-overview-entranceEntrance to the Mid-Week Farmers Market at Pukalani Stables in Waimea.The Waimea Mid-Week Farmers Market at Pukalani Stables has only been in existence since early April of this year, when it migrated from its previous location at Anna Ranch. The Market is managed by a board of directors and sponsored by the Paniolo Preservation Society.

At the time of the move, 12 vendors relocated and since then the number of vendors has increased to 28. They come from Waimea, the Hamakua Coast, Waikoloa, Kohala and some as far away as Puna, offering produce, food products, arts & crafts, and almost anything that has been grown or made locally on Hawai’i Island or within the State of Hawai’i.

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