New state Legislature-funded program seeks to feed families, strengthen food security

Hawaiʻi House of Representatives recently announced the release of the first funding for a new state Legislature-funded program that enables food banks to purchase, store and distribute fresh, Hawaiʻi-grown produce for residents in need.

The Farm to Families initiative — created by House Bill 428, which was part of the 2025 House Majority bill package — is modeled on local food purchase programs that had success strengthening connection between Hawaiʻi farmers and food-insecure communities.

“Farm to Families will strengthen local agriculture, support food security and keep food dollars circulating in our communities,” said House Speaker Nadine K. Nakamura of Kauaʻi in a House release about the initiative. “I want to mahalo Gov. Green and the [Hawaiʻi] Department of Human Services for working with the House to release these funds quickly, so our food banks on every island can support our local families.”

The program received $500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and was allocated another $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 — a total of $1 million during the course of the biennium.

Food insecurity and impacts of federal funding reductions to essential programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP and commonly called food stamps, continue to affect Hawaiʻi families.

Hawaiʻi Foodbank’s report “​​Food Insecurity and the Impact of Federal Cuts in Hawaiʻi​​” released in October found that nearly 1 in 3 Hawaiʻi households were already food insecure in 2023.

The report added:

• 11% of the state’s households were categorized as low food security.
• 19% of households were categorized as very low food security.
• 10% of the state’s households were going a whole day without food some or most months.

Nearly 40% of all households felt anxious about running out of food, and almost 30% of Hawaiʻi’s children are growing up in food-insecure homes.

Hawaiʻi Food Bank adds that there are a total of 75,000 households at potential risk of missed paychecks or layoffs now — %15 of the Aloha State’s population.

Hawai‘i’s food banks each month collectively connect families with food for more than 2.4 million meals.

Farm to Families emphasizes purchasing locally sourced food, ensuring state dollars circulate directly into Hawaiʻi’s agricultural economy and support local farmers, ranchers and food producers.

Initiative advocates emphasize that as the cost of importing food continues to rise, strengthening Hawaiʻi’s local agriculture sector is a sustainable and necessary solution.

“By connecting local farms directly to community food systems, the state can reduce its dependence on imports while ensuring that more families have access to fresh, nutritious, Hawaiʻi-grown produce,” said House Majority Caucus Leader Kirstin Kahaloa of Hawaiʻi Island in the release. “The House extends its appreciation to Hawaiʻi’s farmers, food banks and community partners for their continued commitment to feeding local families and strengthening food security statewide.”