FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Hawaiʻi Institute of Pacific Agriculture Awarded Federal USDA Grant to Revolutionize Farm-to-School Programs in North Kohala, Hawaiʻi
NORTH KOHALA, HAWAIʻI - The Hawaiʻi Institute of Pacific Agriculture (HIP Ag) has been awarded $95,790 from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). HIP Ag is one of only three Hawaiʻi awardees for this program, alongside The Hawaiʻi Academy of Arts and Sciences in Pahoa and Kōkua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services in Honolulu. This significant funding will support HIP Ag’s innovative farm-to-school (F2S) initiatives, which aim to address critical gaps in local food sourcing and agricultural education. HIP Ag’s mission is to practice and teach regenerative agriculture through farm-to-school education, farmer training, and ecosystem restoration, and this funding will significantly enhance their efforts to build a resilient, nutritionally empowered community.
“Farm to School is a huge win for children, schools, farmers, producers and communities,” said United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. “When schools have access to fresh, local food options with homegrown flavor, they can serve delicious, healthy dishes that kids are excited to eat, while also supporting the local economy. These grants continue our work to address both food insecurity and nutrition insecurity, ensuring that we’re not only feeding kids, we’re feeding them well.”
Empowering Hawaiʻi’s Future: Cultivating Food Leaders, Nourishing Roots: In response to Hawaiʻi Island public schools sourcing only 1.25% of their food locally–well below the state mandate of 30% by 2030–HIP Ag has launched a comprehensive student-led Garden-to-Cafeteria (G2C) and feeding students program. This initiative, in collaboration with Kohala Food Hub, Kohala High School, and other key stakeholders, integrates agricultural education into the curriculum, ultimately benefiting the students and the wider community. The project will involve 75 students in hands-on gardening classes, cultivating produce using diverse methods such as raised beds, in-ground, potted, and hydroponic systems. The student-grown produce will be harvested, processed at Kohala Food Hub, and incorporated into the Kohala cafeteria or into the student feeding trialing farm to school menus, ensuring compliance with state and federal nutritional standards. Students will also participate in culinary workshops, school-wide test-tasting events, farm field trips, and mentorship programs, fostering practical skills and leadership opportunities.
“HIP Ag is thrilled to receive this federal grant award, which will allow us to expand our farm-to-school initiatives and further integrate agricultural education into North Kohala public schools,” said Erika Kuhr, Project Director and Co-Director of HIP Ag. “This funding is crucial for engaging students in hands-on learning experiences, building advocacy and input from students and staff for F2S, and fostering a new generation of food system leaders in our community.”
At HIP Ag, we see firsthand the urgent need to increase local food sourcing and provide comprehensive agricultural education in our schools. This grant will allow us to implement strategic actions that align with state mandates and community goals, ultimately enhancing the health and well-being of our students and the broader community. We believe that our efforts will have a significant impact on creating a sustainable and resilient local food system for Hawaiʻi. For more details, read the full USDA press release here.
About Hawaiʻi Institute of Pacific Agriculture: The Hawaiʻi Institute of Pacific Agriculture is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable agriculture and local food systems in Hawaiʻi. Since its inception, HIP Ag has been at the forefront of farm-to-school initiatives, pioneering programs that connect students and communities to the land and their food. For more information or to get connected, visit HIP Ag’s website!
