Farm to School

Where’s Your Food Coming From?

A Glance at the Farm to School Initiative  

Over the last year Kohala Schools have moved from meals with processed foods to locally sourced meals with whole foods. Earlier this year Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui recognized Kohala Complex Cafeteria Manager Priscilla Galan with a Certificate of Commendation for her leadership, support and aloha in this time of change when Kohala schools have graciously adapted the Farm to School Initiative. During the school year 2016-2017 Kohala’s elementary, middle and high school ran the pilot program for the Farm to School Initiative for the state of Hawai’i. Due to the success of the initiative here in Kohala, this school year our schools will continue to serve locally sourced meals through the Farm to School Initiative. We are excited to see three more schools on the island of Hawai’i added to the Farm to School initiative: Kalaniana’ole Intermediate School, Ha’aheo Elementary School and Keaukaha Elementary School.

Here in Kohala, our schools receive ingredients for breakfasts and lunches from farms on the island of Hawai’i as well as neighboring islands. From the island of Hawai’i, we receive beef from Big Island Beef, and milk (served with every meal) from Meadow Gold Dairies. We receive other fruits and vegetables from farms in O’ahu, such as Cabbage from Aloun Farms and tomatoes from Sugarland Growers. We also receive tortillas from Sinaloa Tortillas in Honolulu. Along with these farms we receive product from other local vendors and distributors. From Kohala’s own, HIP Agriculture here in Kapa’au, we receive our bananas, papayas, oranges, tangerines and tangelos. HIP Ag also contributes to educating our keiki about food security by educating our youth on stewardship of the 'āina through experiences at our Kohala campuses and at their farm.

This year our students and staff look forward to more local flavors in the cafeteria and to the new recipes that will be introduced. Galan and the president and founder of Beyond Green Sustainable Food Partners, Chicago, Ill., Chef Greg Christian, are responsible for creating recipes for nutritious meals from our local sources. Each month we do our best to give our Kohala ohana a copy of our monthly meal calendar, and throughout the year we value feedback from students and staff through surveys distributed in classes.

          For more information we encourage you to check out Lt. Governor Shan S. Tsutsui’s website: ltgov.hawaii.gov/farm-to-school-initiative/ The Farm to School Initiative is a public-private partnership with the Lt. Govenor’s office, HDOA, Hawaii Department of Health, HIDOE, Dorrance Family Foundation, Hawaii Appleseed, Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, Kaiser PErmanente, Kokua Hawaii Foundation, The Kohala Center and Ulupono Initiative.