Since farmers’ markets have been shut down for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis, local farmers are concerned about how they will be able to sell their produce, and locavores are wondering where they are going to be able to buy their local produce and value-added products.
GoFarm Hawai‘i has been building a list of some resources for farmers as well as Find Your Farmer, a list of farmers who are offering access to food in non-traditional ways, such as through pick-up and drop-off. They have the information promoted on their Facebook and Instagram pages so that farmers can add their information.
They are both looking for farmers who have food to sell and building a resource for people to access food. GoFarm is also requesting any recommendations of services that can aid farmers in this time so they can add them to that list on their site.
Calling all growers
The Hawaii Farm Bureau is working with Foodland to provide its member farmers and ranchers who have been impacted by COVID-19 with a retail market to sell their fresh produce and products. Foodland is interested in purchasing locally grown produce and products (such as meats, eggs, and dairy) from farms of all sizes on all islands. With 32 stores statewide, Foodland and has reached out to Hawaii Farm Bureau to assist local farmers and ranchers during this difficult time.
Foodland needs information on what products are available immediately. Regardless of the size of the farm or how much product is available, all farmers are requested to complete this form if interested in selling to Foodland. The information will be utilized to connect growers with Foodland and other available retail markets, since Hawaii Farm Bureau is also actively working to identify other markets for its members who have been impacted by the COVID-19 situation and will keep farmers updated.
For more information:
cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu