Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced the rollout of $3 million in grants to small farmers, ranchers and growers on Oahu at a news conference at MA Farms in Waimanalo on Tuesday.
What You Need To Know
The grants are intended to help increase production of local crops, flowers and proteins, reduce reliance on imported food and create good jobs in agriculture
It is estimated that 85% of all food consumed in Hawaii is imported
Honolulu City Council vice-chair Esther Kiaaina originally proposed the grants as part of a broader strategy to support local agriculture producers with federal funds, including the city’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
A total of 127 farmers, ranchers and growers applied for the grants
“We are working with farmers, nonprofits, and private funders to create an Oahu where more of our food is grown, harvested and prepared for our tables by our neighbors,” Blangiardi said. “Given our island’s dependence on imported foods, this program more than makes sense.”
