Green Ideas

Give it Fresh Today is a produce donation project. I saw someone in Chicago doing this, and started organizing this project in Honolulu.  We collect produce donations from the shoppers at the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation's Kapiolani Community College farmer's market and distribute the locally grown food to organizations that help to feed those in our community who are less fortunate and have fewer choices about what they eat. I chose to start this program at the farmer's market because people who shop there are already making an effort to support local agriculture with their purchases. Many shop at the market because it is aligned with their environmental or health values. Our project gives the shoppers an opportunity to support the farms that they love, while supporting organizations that help to feed the hungry. We get to support these organizations by offering healthy, locally-grown food. It helps keep more money flowing through our local economy. Some of the people who read about the program in the newspaper called to ask if they could bring extra home-grown produce to the market to donate and we have gladly accepted these donations as well. I'm delighted to provide a weekly drop-off point for people with extra produce growing in their yards.

Many food drive programs make requests for canned goods and non-perishables. This program is asking for fresh fruits and vegetables that will contribute to the health and wellness of the people receiving the donations. It also supports local agriculture in the process. Some of the vendors at the farmer's market have made donations, but that was never the intended focus of the program. We want to support the farmers in providing valuable fresh foods to our community. If the farmers want to make donations at the end of the market, they have been welcome to do so. The farmers and vendors are supporting us by displaying signs in their booths. Preserving lands for agricultural use is important for so many different reasons. At a time when we're more concerned about our use of fossil fuels, and more people are choosing to "eat locally," it just makes sense that we should try to feed the less fortunate on our island with food that doesn't have to be imported, keeps money in the local economy, AND is more nutritious.

For more information:
http://www.starbulletin.com/features/20100224_Fresh_idea.html

http://teamsuperforest.org/superforest/2010/03/04/thursdays-inspiration-information-vivian-chau/